UAE construction job market getting tougher

JOB SEARCH: Getting a new job has got a lot tougher because of the greater number of people made redundant and looking for work, recruitment agencies say.

Competition in the UAE jobs market is getting tougher after scores of redundancies have left thousands of jobseekers battling for just a handful of vacancies.

A report by Construction Week revealed that one company had received 120,000 applications for about 300 jobs, which works out around 400 applicants per job.

Recruitment firms said some companies are still recruiting, but at a much lower level than in previous years.

“We have placed numerous applicants into jobs this year,” said Davina Cooper, Duneden managing partner. “However, this was less than the amount we placed for the same quarter last year.

“The majority of our clients appear to be restructuring their organisations to adapt to the current market conditions.

“It is much more of an employer’s market right now,” she said.

The number of people looking for jobs has also declined, according to Matt Potts, construction and development director of Carmichael Fisher.

“This is due to many of the individuals, unfortunately having been made redundant in the recent months, having now found alternative employment either within the Middle East or further afield,” he said.

But, some positive news was to be found with some agencies reporting an upturn in recruitment by the end of the year.

Dave Storey, Michael Page Middle East director, said: “Compared to our neighbours in other global markets, the Middle East has stayed in a positive growth phase.

“We believe there will be an encouraging uplift in the marketplace by the end of 2009, with strong personnel demand from more mature global markets where completion on projects is paramount.”

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READERS' COMMENTS

Not that astonishing!
Posted by Mohammad, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 22:42 UAE time


Prior to the Crash, the UAE market was one of few employee markets in the Region. Moreover, it’s the fastest growing markets as well. Accordingly, and during the boom, job applicants used to score high as well on job postings especially in Dubai market.
Firstly, by scoring a ratio of 400 applications to each job post is not a high indicator since during the boom we could have received 200 relevant application & other relevant. Also we need to clarify whether all those applicants comes from within the UAE market or from abroad. Since December 2008, applicants from all over the word showed high interest in the ME Region in general and the UAE one in particular. So by all means, this will not be a solid indicator!
Secondly, the property development market was the most effected in the UAE market and its obvious to receive such high ratio in this field.
Finally, the employers became more picky in their screening in order to benefit from the lesson acquired the financial crash. The Human Resources proved again that its much more important than any other business resources and specially the financial one. This will take us back to the Talent ware, but in a reasonable and fair opportunity where this will help to avoid the old inflation. I am personally expecting the UAE market to recover and develop again to an Employee Market.

RE: Article contraditing in itself ----Dont think so.
Posted by Tanvir on Tuesday 30 June 2009 at 22:18 UAE time


Sunny, I don’t think its contradicting. If the Ratio is 400 to 1 and its declining, obviously it meant that before it was higher, may be 500 to 1. Considering the gloomy ME market I don’t think it’s inaccurate or contradicting. Its true in fact, a lot of hobos’ from their western certificate got a position with high wages in ME. It’s a shame.

Article contraditing in itself
Posted by Sunny, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday 29 June 2009 at 23:06 UAE time


First part of the article says 400 applicants for one job, (meaning loads and loads of people looking for job, second half of the article reads, "number of people looking for jobs has also declined''. conflicting statements. What ever the report: reality is it's an employers market. Days when certain individuals were getting ridiculous higher salaries are gone. or will go soon .Sorry guys , Yachts, Boats, Dubai Marina, Ferrari, Designer labels, are gone. If you are still comfortable then your lucky or your employer is sleeping. Its time for employee and employer to wake up and smell their coffee. Employees don't expect salaries a rocket engineer wouldn't expect and employers dont exploit the formers situation. Employees do have a certain standard of living..

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