57% of Asian expats fear UAE job axe - survey

By Soren Billing
  • Wednesday, 3 June 2009 7:19 AM
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Asian expats in the UAE are almost three times more likely to be worried about their job security than UAE nationals are, according to a new survey.

Only 22 percent of UAE nationals said they were concerned about the future of their jobs compared with 57 percent of Asian expats and 31 percent of Arab expats, in a consumer lifestyle survey by market research company TNS.

Similarly, only 25 percent of Emiratis said they were worried about their financial security, compared with 54 percent of Asians and 30 percent of expat Arabs.

The rising cost of living was the single biggest factor impacting the lifestyle of consumers in all three groups, according to the 1,002 people polled by TNS.

Inflation was cited by 61 percent of Emiratis, 73 percent of Arab expats and 75 percent of Asian expats as a factor threatening their lifestyle.

“Consumers are looking to cut back on big ticket items and postponing holidays,” said Satish Dave, senior director of TNS Middle East and Africa.

“Even consumers who had a sense of job security seemed to have been impacted by this negative sentiment.”

Others are trying to reduce their entertainment accounts by going out less frequently and opting for cheaper restaurants.

Many are also trying to shop smarter, and more than 50 percent said they preferred offers that give them cash back over other types of promotions, he said.

Education and the environment were two areas where the three groups differed in their views.

Out of Emiratis respondents, 35 percent said they were concerned about the quality of their children’s education compared with only 25 percent of Arab expats and 29 percent of Asian expats.

And while global warming and the environment didn’t rank highly in any group, it was mentioned by more Emiratis and Asian expats – 25 percent and 29 percent, respectively – than Arab expats, out of whom only 13 percent thought the environment would have an impact on their lifestyle.

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Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: rajeevan Wednesday, 17 June 2009 5:30 PM[UAE] - UAE

Whether adressed to Expats or Nationals,kindly infuse in us more of optimism than pessimism. A pessimist is one who finds difficulty in an opportunity;But an optimist is one who finds opportunity even in a difficulty. At these times of crises,obviously,one would prefer being the latter. Wake up guys and let's fight it out together.

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Posted by: ahmed Thursday, 4 June 2009 10:40 AM[UAE] - uae

agree totally with don ho! what sort of a survey is this supposed to be and for what purpose and what exactly is it meant to convey? everyone knows asian expats form the largest chunk of the population so ......what the survey throes up is obvious.....you don't need a survey to come up with such information!!! and at least the survey would have been more realistic if it compared asisan expats with those from say europe or africa or some other continent.

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Posted by: don ho Wednesday, 3 June 2009 4:15 PM[UAE] - uae

Once again you publish meaningless surveys. At least its keeping the consultants in work. Asian expats nervous about losing jobs ? If they were'nt before, they will be after reading this. Thanks guys, for spreading a sense of desperation. How about a survey of online journos, how secure do they feel? Now that would be one I would be interested in.

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Posted by: Foz Wednesday, 3 June 2009 2:37 PM[UAE] - UAE

Come on Arabian Business - That's just a lazy story. Nationals don't have to worry as you can't sack them - even if they are workshy, disruptive influences. The Asian expat in Dubai is as dispensable as a tissue in many employer's eyes (more the shame!)

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Posted by: Doug Wednesday, 3 June 2009 10:23 AM[UAE]

Of course expats are more worried about losing their jobs than UAE nationals. Most UAE nationals don't have a job to lose, and even when they do, it's illegal to lay them off for anything other than gross misconduct.

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