UAE minister sees drop in expat worker numbers

EXPAT NUMBERS: The number of expats is seen falling in the UAE. (Getty Images)

Expatriate numbers in the UAE could drop due to lower levels of recruitment and job creation in the Gulf state, according to the Minister of Labour.

A slowdown in the number of workers arriving in the UAE at the same time as a slight rise in those leaving following completion of projects they were brought in to work on was expected, said Saqr Ghobash.

Recruitment and job creation was expected to continue at lower rates than those in the previous two years, he said in comments published by news agency WAM on Wednesday.

But it was not anticipated that unemployment rates would increase among the UAE workforce, the majority of whom were expatriates, Ghobash said during a speech in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It is also expected that access by UAE citizens to the job market in the private sector will be faced with some challenges, given the fact that dwindling growth rates will limit the creation of lucrative job opportunities in this sector,” he said.

The ministry had taken steps to better protect employees by encouraging greater flexibility in the jobs market and protecting those sectors of the workforce that were more prone to redundancies by ensuring their salaries and end-of-service benefits were fully paid, he said.

It had also offered support and training to unemployed UAE citizens, he said.

“We are, at the same time, fully aware of the need to prepare the job market for the post-crisis period,” he continued.

“Despite the difficulties, we see this crisis as an opportunity to reconsider the priorities of national economies, including our own national economy. We should move ahead with developing value-added economic sectors in accordance with our federal government's strategy.”

He said the government should focus on developing small and medium-sized enterprises to create job opportunities for citizens and attract skilled foreign labour.

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READERS' COMMENTS

stop whining
Posted by wakeup on Wednesday 29 July 2009 at 09:54 UAE time


Every country has its good and bad and their own objectives. If people feel this does not suit your requirements then they should find places that do.

Staying in a place and yet grumbling about it is being most ungrateful for what life has to offer you and most importantly what God has given you.

Be thankful for what you have. Every place has its good and bad. If you find things not the way you like it, find the place that does.

The UAE has been tolerant to expats, given every one equal chances, yes there may be differences - every country has it. Overall UAE is an amazing place and there are so many who would love to be here.

There sure are better things to do, than to keep blogging about how horrible something is. Start thinking positive, work on positive areas and life will be worth living.

@wakeup
Posted by shakespear on Wednesday 29 July 2009 at 07:43 UAE time


As i mentioned in my previous post, the only reason majority of expats are in Dubai is for the money, take that away, impose taxation and see how quickly people will flee.

Mate, its time YOU wake up and smell the freshly brewed coffee, Dubai has seriously nothing to offer to the majority of people from affluent countries other than money.

The fundamental problem is the country is not looking to build loyalty among its expat workforce which most developed countries do.

stop whining. be thankful.
Posted by wakeup, dubai, uae on Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 08:06 UAE time


To all those whining out there remember that if you are here in dubai, it was a choice you had taken. The country has been great if offering people the best that they could. If you think that they do not take care of expats, then wake up and smell the roses. Why would there still be so many expats out here if this was the case? Undoubtedly, in every country there will be happy and unhappy people. But overall if you yourself are still in Dubai, its because deep down you know this country has a lot to offer. Best of all, it is a safe country with morals and values which I love it for.

Reply to Hounstly
Posted by Muhammed Azeem, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 12:14 UAE time


Hello

You are another 'IMPULSIVE' reactive person. You read something and reply without thinking!!!!!!! My uncle has been in UAE for the last 46 years and you think people like him has no right to say a 'frank opinion' about the 'changed' situation they are facing!!! You are another 'FROG IN THE WELL' may be born 20-25 years back in the lap of luxury, not seen the real life, never felt the taste of sweat, never enjoyed the value of hard earned money....People like you such HOME GROWN CHICKEN , hate people doing hard jobs, you like people in ARMANIS and FERRARIS.
There was a world here before you were born...dear

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