ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Saturday, 07 November 2009 19:46 UAE time
Salary Survey Report 2009
2009 Salary Survey results revealed
Tuesday, 03 March 2009


Welcome to the results of the Arabian Business Salary Survey 2009, a comprehensive guide to how much employees working in the Gulf region are being paid, according to industry, location and nationality.

Unlike last year's poll, which took place during a boom time for most companies and staff in the region, this year's questions - answered by more than 3,000 respondents during January - were posed at a time when firms were cutting back on their workforces and budgets... and it shows.

Analysis of our data shows it doesn't matter how much you earn or how senior your role is, there are no longer any guarantees about job security in the region.

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A telling statistic reveals that four out of the top 10 earners who completed our survey - all on substantial six-figure monthly salaries (in dollars) - admitted they were anxious about their job prospects.

We can tell you what the average monthly salary is (including all commission, bonuses and allowances) is across the GCC, we can tell you which the best paid industries are and we can reveal that most of you do not expect to receive a pay rise during the next six months - a clear indication that many expect the impact of the global economic crisis to continue.

Our data also reveals where the highest and lowest paid Gulf employees are based and where the biggest pay rises are expected during 2009.

The survey results also highlight which industry has the highest level of anxiety over job security and where employees are most confident about their future prospects.


 
Comments (70 )
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

Comment
Posted by Kamran Sajid on 2 September 2009 at 11:02 UAE time

This report will be great, helping people to analyze and will be having an overview. Please send me a copy as well.
Salary Survey 2009
Posted by Ian Hendrick, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 2 September 2009 at 09:18 UAE time

Please send me a copy of the salary survey for 2009. I am an Irish engineer, recently moved to the UAE
Salary Survey Report for 2009
Posted by Dalia Sarza, Dubai, UAE on 13 August 2009 at 09:08 UAE time

This report is a very useful tool in understanding and analyzining the job market trends. Very much beneficial to all expatriates trying to earn a living here.
Salary survey report for 2009
Posted by Shailendra Sharma, Vadodara, India on 4 August 2009 at 13:25 UAE time

I need the salary survey for 2009 to upgrade the information and monitor the market trends
salary survey
Posted by girish, dubai, uae on 27 July 2009 at 16:37 UAE time

Amazing you guys have found out about this now!!! and its very well known its there in every industry.
SEARCHING JOB IN UAE
Posted by TARIQ, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia on 22 July 2009 at 22:04 UAE time

I M SEARCHING JOB AS A SAFETY OFFICER/ENGINEER BUT STILL NO POSITIVR RESPONCE I RECIEV FROM ANY ONE ALL OF EMPLOYER JUST GETTING MY RESUMES WHAT I MISS TO GET A JOB?HELP ME AND SUGGEST ME WHAT TO DO TO GET MY IDEAL JOB AS SOON AS I M WORKING AS SAFETY OFFICER IN SAUDIA ARABIA WANT TO SWITCH UAE FOR GETTING MORE SALARY AND MORE EDUCATION OF MY FIELD TOO.
Arabian Business: A Must Read e-letter
Posted by umar farooq, Lahore, Pakistan on 22 July 2009 at 14:36 UAE time

I want to regularly get the e-news update.
Salary Survey
Posted by Remote Control, Dubai, U.A.E on 22 July 2009 at 09:03 UAE time

Wow,British,Western,Filipino,Indian ooh wait i'm African now I do know that its a fact western/white people get paid more due to different factors however we have ourselves to blame as any nationality you have to make a stance and accept a salary suitable to your needs.Problem is when people from your nationality start accepting low salaries then employers obviously will think that is your 'going rate' I beleive that the problem in the U.A.E is not about colour but its about desperate people coming here and accepting any amount of money that will get them an employment visa.Yes it is unfair that westerners earn more money but have you ever seen a Brit,American,Ausie or anyone from Europe taking a job that pays less than 10K wake up folks yes every man is born equal and we can do the same jobs that they do and we could have as much education as they have but do we value ourselves that much.Next time turn down a job that pays you less and tell your nationalities about it.Ofcourse in 3rd world countries situations cdan get abit desperate and your forced to leave but does that mean that when you come to the here you have to live a life like you did back home.Let us start demanding for high salaries and accept nothing less.Especially in a country that depends on foreign labour what will they do?Ofcourse make sure you are highly qualified for the job,Your confidence will sell you not your skin colour.
Differences in salaries
Posted by Pallavi A, Dubai on 21 July 2009 at 16:33 UAE time

Inspite of being graduates, Post graduates, Certified members Indians are given very low salaries compared to Board exam passed Whites.
Here its only skin colour that matters.Brain Power is not considered unfortunately.
Salary Comparison
Posted by Dattatreya, Perth, Australia on 19 July 2009 at 10:31 UAE time

The survey is too scared of comparing Emirati/Qatari/Omani salaries with respect to other nationalities.
Western salaries are always compared & not Arab salaries.

This depends on Country's system.
Fortunately Western countries working environment is not biased as Gulf
Banish servitude but be assertive
Posted by Prof Philbert, Salmiya/ Kuwait, Kuwait on 19 July 2009 at 09:49 UAE time

It is easier to negotiate terms with an Asian rather then with an European - largely reflective of the labour conditions in these countries.
Salary
Posted by imtiyaz khan, Dubai, uae on 18 July 2009 at 15:07 UAE time

Unfortunately in this part of world color is important not qualification and second is language if u r white u will get everything and if ur Arabic Speaking u will get good salary + facilities and if u r other person than u r at wrong place my dear.
Job security? In the UAE? You must be Emirati!!!
Posted by Simply NM, Sharjah on 22 June 2009 at 17:21 UAE time

Read my lips the only job security in place is that one directly linked to the process of Emiratisation. You're not local, feel secure at your own peril. Just take a look over the border at Kuwait and its overnight firing of 100, 000!!!
Why the name calling?
Posted by Simply NM, Sharjah on 22 June 2009 at 17:18 UAE time

I am shocked and rather dismayed at the rather prejudicial title for your article "Brit expats earn double that of Indian counterparts" when the same report ranks British expats a miserable fourth behind Americans at US$19K, Australians at US$17K and even South Africans at US$16K plus. Please be objective and get rid of your nasty sentiments! On a more subtle note why compare Brit and Indian expats?
Brit expats earn ......
Posted by Sushma Nair, Dubai, UAE on 22 June 2009 at 12:52 UAE time

The results are evident in the recent economic turmoil scenario. Brits and Americans are being the first ones to be chucked out of jobs....
Request for OMAN Salary Survey report
Posted by Shwetha M S, Bangalore, India on 29 May 2009 at 15:42 UAE time

Request for OMAN Salary Survey report
Salaries
Posted by Bethuel Mutai, Nairobi, Kenya on 18 May 2009 at 16:58 UAE time

I strongly believe that talent and excellence cannot lose value..........
therefore it should not be surprising to get people earning $100,000 p.m amid the economic crisis!
Recovery
Posted by Amitabh Khanna on 27 April 2009 at 11:31 UAE time

Lookimng at recent news posts, we are led to believe that the money raised from the recent Bondissue has started trickling back into the economy. Some banks re lending on homes as well.
I would welcome views on wthere the unpredictability of the recovery horizon will plague us long term or not.
Real Estate Sectory Recovery
Posted by wildyuvaaa, DUBAI, UAE on 22 April 2009 at 07:33 UAE time

As far as the Dubai Economy is concerned, the recovery is impossible
to predict, since unlike other economies of the world, its economy is
heavily dependant on Cyclical sectors such as Real Estate & Tourism.
The cost of doing Business in Dubai
Posted by Uzair Hassan, Dubai, UAE on 21 April 2009 at 18:56 UAE time

Not surprisingly, costs of doing business in Dubai had doubled, in one go. This step was taken given the market upswing and taken in one step. The same needs to be evidenced for the downturn. And not just talk. Implementation. SME's are the lifeblood of the economy and they need to be sustained, nurtured and supported.
SOON.
Indian, UK, US Salaries
Posted by kwame, dagenham, United Kingdom on 1 April 2009 at 23:07 UAE time

It seems to me that after reading all these comments, people crying internally about salaries but you don't really put a true value on your worth.

I am siding with your country man PP who works for JPM, life is a balance of work, living standards and happiness. People come to Dubai to work, make a quick kill financial and go back home where ever that maybe. And yes I am a Black British with the exact same view. What most Indians seem to still not grasp is that , this is not a Democratic Country. No employer has to pay you more if the don't have to. Especially if they can get away with it. And some of you are so eager to please you bosses, shaking your head from side-to-side and saying 'Yes Boss' without questioning their true motives.

My advise is to work hard make your money, double that of your currencies and go back home and enjoy it. Which is in fact proportional to other countries i.e USA and UK because salaries are higher in UAE. Don't bring the entire family here and try to settle like everywhere else especially in Dubai.
Salary Survey
Posted by Mansur Ahmed, Dubai, UAE on 31 March 2009 at 09:56 UAE time

I believe that Dubai is coming to its senses which means reality is dawning which is painful. Most people earned a lot of money during the last few years which was excpetional and unrealistic and one day party had to conclude.
Voice from the (Deep) Underground
Posted by Bottom Dweller, Dubai, UAE on 30 March 2009 at 23:55 UAE time

Well isn't that great. Bottom of the heap. What's even better is that my salary falls several thousand short of this "average" for Filipino citizens.

I'm not going to harp about any values, virtues, or talents Filipinos have to try to redeem any lost dignity from this survey. That's pointless. The fact that the Filipino salary average is a SIXTH of the average American salary and almost a THIRD (?!!?!) of the average of everyone else's makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and really precious inside. I can't even BEGIN to describe how unsettled I am at these results. I also can't help feeling like some kind of insect that happened to find himself in Dubai. Sorry about the analogy. Heck, what would YOU feel?

Everyone has basically the same mental capacity no matter where you're from. So no one has a right to start saying who's better than who. This rob from kuwait guy is correct in saying we're all commodities and that cost of living back home (wherever that is) is a big factor. Yes, that is the reason. But the thing is, we're HERE, NOW, in the same place, paying for the same food, space, prices, etc etc. Using the same goddamn post it notes and reading the same emails. so yes. it is unfair.

which begs the question, what are the filipinos going to do about it? I suspect we'll all just do what we usually do. smile sadly, make a joke out of it, and carry on working our asses off. I mean what would you do if you had that economic blackmail of ending up working back in the philippines and earning *gasp* half of what we earn here in Dubai? (effectively making our now famous salary average seem like a microscopic, nay, a subatomic speck).

man this is depressing.
Salary Survey
Posted by Muhammad Amjad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 30 March 2009 at 16:51 UAE time

Nothing to earn in Dubai, Just Earn less and Pay more rule is implemented in Dubai. Salaries are Indirectly proportional these days, Rents going again up and salaries going lower by threatening of cancellation by the owners of company. Forcing people to work on same place with less salary then before otherwise face cancellation
GOVERNEMENT SHIELD
Posted by MOHAMMED NAWAZUL, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 24 March 2009 at 16:21 UAE time

People who have come here did so with an idea of earning a decent pay that was not possible in their home countries, and not to cheat the banks or financial institutions.
Thus the government should make it a point to provide some assistance in the form of a time period to a person who losses his job to search another one and start re paying back his loans.
Government Visa extensions
Posted by Andy, Dubai, UAE on 24 March 2009 at 10:25 UAE time

If teh UAE, and esp. Dubai, want to show how comitted they are to sustaining development, then some kind of exceptional visa extension is needed. Rather than havign to leave in 3 months time, I would prefer a 6-9 month minimum period to find a new job, allowing economic activity in the country to start rising up again, and creating new jobs. Otherwise employers will see the high re-location cost of getting people in and delay recruitment further.
Salary
Posted by Suman, Dubai, UAE on 19 March 2009 at 23:55 UAE time

well i dont know why this hotel salary is very low. well managament get thier full bonus, package, incent from supliers etc. but low level staff get only salary half service charge & rest of the shits that managament give so they can show to owner ..
It would be interesting to see the raw data...
Posted by dubaiexpatforumdotcom, Dubai, UAE on 19 March 2009 at 09:46 UAE time

I'm not sure who took part in the survey but I don't know very many people who even earn close to the 'average' figure stated for Brits in the UAE...where do people earn these kind of popstar salaries?
Salary Survey in GCC
Posted by adel, Hawalli, Kuwait on 18 March 2009 at 20:17 UAE time

Excellent analysis on salaries in the GCC
Salary survey in GCC!
Posted by Samaoen Osman, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 18 March 2009 at 10:41 UAE time

Excellent analysis on salaries in the GCC!
India rocks!
Posted by An Indian, Dubai, UAE on 18 March 2009 at 08:13 UAE time

I completely second with PP. Having worked in the recruitment industry for nearly a decade, I've realized in the past 3 years that it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract well-qualified, experienced professionals from India. The salary & perks carrot doesn't hold priority for them. Even if they were not earning any close to the offers made, they were content to remain in a country where they had freedom to change the system and still enjoy whatever good it offered. If anyone came here, it was purely because they wanted to give up the chase & settle down in a secure environment with their kids. Professionally, there are a very few experienced Indians who are satisfied.
This is not to say that the Indians coming here are not qualified or experienced. The truth, as one of the candidates put it, is that the Gulf can be used as an easy stepping stone for a move further west. Even if you do not make it that far, you earn some quick buck along with experience and return home to a higher position on the basis of 'international' exposure. The competition back home is fierce and it's most so at the mid-level. Many land a first job here just as an entry point and move up the ladder with their hard work and then, leave. Those who can not, stay where they are and become one of the numbers in such skewed statistics.
Salaries in India
Posted by PP, Delhi, India on 17 March 2009 at 16:15 UAE time

I agree with JPM, salaries in India aren’t bad. Six months back I moved back to India from Dubai at around the same level of salary that I was getting in Dubai which was US$ 140,000 pa.
And NO I was not laid off, I resigned to come back to India as I was not satisfied professionally.

Now, even after paying taxes I am leading a great life without anyone constantly reminding me that this isn’t your country and directing me to the nearest airport if I was unhappy about anything regardless of the issue.

I know of several of my friends who have refused to move to Dubai as they have it great here in India. So, please revise this view that Indians leave India for more money.

Yes, one gets what one accepts and in most cases people are not aware of what they should get. So, rather than gripe, do some research, have an idea of your own worth and demand it. And refuse if the offer is not good enough.
Performance Based
Posted by DHEERAJ CHANDEL, DUBAI, UAE on 17 March 2009 at 15:47 UAE time

Perform well and dont loose hope.
salary here is nothing....
Posted by mark, Dubai, dubai on 17 March 2009 at 12:58 UAE time

salary here is for nothing....some people getting salary 1200 dhs.. but the room rent is 900 w/o DEWA is just morethan a tax...how we leave in this kind of life??? wake up companies giving small salary...
To my fellow Indians
Posted by JPM on 16 March 2009 at 17:22 UAE time

And here's a take for our Indian brothers and sisters... I find fault that you're not demanding more. From India Shining! to India Secure? - what has made us move from being confident to our current situation?

Let's put it this way. We should thank the Brits for their English, but copy the Americans their ease of doing business with, the Lebanese for their pickiness for appearance/impressions, the French for their style, the Italians for their attention to detail (or food,footballs and Ferraris), the Arabs for their hospitality and relaxed nature. Take the best from all the world and make yourself....

But we must remain Indian - because we are a great nation, conquered by all, dominated by none. A melting pot of religion, cultures, traditions, languages and united on a single land. In modern terms, we are a nation fighting with corruption in business, politics and religion, just as much as we learn to become a better democracy.

If you are an Indian... either stand up or step down... humility is not in bowing to others, but in learning to respect them.

(Hmm... getting a bit patriotic!)
Let's face... people will care. Soon.
Posted by JPM on 16 March 2009 at 16:34 UAE time

Jason, I don't think you really know... pay in India isn't as bad as it looks... yes, maybe less than outside the country and competition is fierce... but it is good for those living there. I do know some top level managers who get paid more than their counterparts here in the Middle East and even USA/UK!!


I "know" quite a few 'foreigners' who settled in India and are living royally. One even commented that he couldn't live like this (i.e. regularly go to a 5 star hotel and have a beer) in his own country.

Today, Brits are having a lot of trouble living (cost of living, blah blah) in UK... I'm sure that after you pay taxes and eek out a living - ur still left with nothing. They're a strain on their own country's economy... what with all the govt benefits, unemployment, social service, medical, pension etc.. So sorry to say, UK's a mess.

However, in the Middle East... even an Britisher (commoner) with a fairly good accent and the gift of gab can make it in this part of the world! And trust me... that sentence came from a well educated Brit!

Sorry, didnt get your last para... maybe I'm too uneducated to understand :)

Anr, sorry to offend you... but some times the truth hurts! I can provide you with a list of top Indians... across various industries/sectors. We seem to be making it good my dear friend :)

Oh, we have a probability issue (1 billion people... yeah, some are definitely going to shine! Wish I could say that for our Olympic Team)
Let's face it... No one cares
Posted by Jason, Kuwait on 12 March 2009 at 16:50 UAE time

yes indians are better... but your competitive nature ruins your chances... today if a company hires an indian worker, tomorrow another one will arrive who will work more for less. Plus i know the competition in India is fierce and pay isnt good either.

On the topic of productivity, a company who is specialised in their product may not succeed against a company who knows how to handle a corporate culture in certain countries.
Dissent...
Posted by anr, Dubai, UAE on 12 March 2009 at 16:46 UAE time

As an Indian born & raised in the West, I would never say Indians are more skilled than Westerners; to make such a sweeping generalization is completely ignorant and borderline offensive.
Let's face it... Indians are better, but poor.
Posted by JPM, Manama, Bahrain on 9 March 2009 at 23:51 UAE time

The fact of the matter is that Indians (Immigrants) are far more skilled than most westerners... don't believe me? Check out what's happening in US... all those banks who have received money from the TARP are forced to take Americans and not H1B immigrants... now they're in a fix!

Oh... and we're good at maths. Even Dilbert knows this:

Postulate 1: Knowledge = Power
Postulate 2: Time = Money

Since, Power = Work / Time
Therefore: Knowledge = Work / Time = Work / Money

Solving for money, we get Money = Work / Knowledge
So... as Knowledge approaches zero... Money approaches infinity regardless of the work done!

See... I told you we were better, just that we don't get paid well !!
Think about it
Posted by Rainigade, Dubai, UAE on 9 March 2009 at 10:41 UAE time

I have to agree with the "you get what you accept" statement. Its very basic - if you agree to take a low salary, its probably because you're not making much more back home or you wouldnt be here. If you think you deserve more, then hold out for a better salary.

When my husband wanted to move to Dubai in 2000, he was in the IT field and found the salaries here much lower than even the basic salary for an IT-Help desk guy back home. He didnt move.

Seven years down the road, he's in Marketing & Sales and finally found a salary that was better than back home and we moved to Dubai.

Its very basic - You get what you accept. Lets not make this about colour of skin or nationality.
75% of Estate Agents fear for their Jobs
Posted by Alan, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 16:51 UAE time

What goes round comes around! No sympathy for an industry that has hyped up prices in the good times to totally unrealistic levels for selling and renting property. By the end of this year those that work here and improve Dubai, after all that is our purpose, will retain jobs through great skills and hard work. Those survivors will soon be able to AFFORD decent accommodation - funny how an estate agent calls you back now - don't remember that in 2008!
You get what you deserve
Posted by Leo, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 15:32 UAE time

I think the consultant, rob and jolly have got it right. Its the free market economy at work here. I have seen it myself the persons from Indian Sub Continent rising to the top levels in various organizations.
I strongly believe that, largely, everybody gets what he deserves in terms of salary and otherwise.
Kiran, Leo et al
Posted by Mr Jolly, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 12:51 UAE time

You clearly missed my point. A free market is in operation here with regard to employers when they choose labour. Quite simply, if an employer wants a western expat for a particular job then they have to pay the going rate, otherwise they wont get the person they want. The point I was making that in spite of the apparent disparity in salaries, Indian and Filipino expats are in general much better off than their western counterparts, and this can be clearly measured by their relative wealth in their home countries.
Little follow-up
Posted by rob, salmiya, kuwait on 8 March 2009 at 12:44 UAE time

I'm not saying home-country cost of living SHOULD factor in salaries, just saying it does, which is unfortunate and wrong, at least in some cases.

All of us, whatever our position, nationality, place of residence, whatever the salary range is for jobs we have a shot at, of course we'd like to make 2x that. We could be determined to get that 2x and take nothing less, but we'd likely end up living under bridges.

It's basic economics. I'm sipping a 7up free as I type, which cost me the U.S. equiv. of 37 cents. Any and every store would love to sell me that 7up for 74 cents or $1.11 and they can try to get it, but we know their sales volume will be dismal or zero.

More to the point, a couple examples: The Filipino colleague I mentioned, he was talented, had great tech knowledge relevant to his position, worked hard, was professional, etc. He could more than hold his own at any top-shelf company anywhere in the world. No question, he deserved 3x his wage, but it was the best price he could get for his services.

A friend supervised Saudis, Indians and Filipinos; the Saudis got appreciably higher wages, did appreciably less work. They knew that for various reasons, short of doing things at work that could get them thrown in jail, they would not be fired.

A great book, The Undercover Economist, makes the point that people, be they workers are employers, generally do what's considered acceptable (less charitably, what they can get away with doing). Independent of nationalities involved or location, if an employer started firing lazy workers, at least most of those not fired and making a marginal effort would pick up the pace.

The basic concept speaks to the employer perspective--and I ain't saying it's right. If an employer can get the above-mentioned Filipino for x per month, they'll do it. At some point, if they can only get atrocious people for that wage or they get good people who quickly depart for something that pays more, they will start paying more or in the case of an individual, make a counter-offer to keep him or her.

Sure, this assumes management is reasonably competent and rational, doesn't take an approach of knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing, which is a topic for another day.
"Discrimination"
Posted by The Consultant, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 8 March 2009 at 12:07 UAE time

I think a few readers have misunderstood the point about relative cost of living back home. It's not the case that a Westerner has a right to more money because of the cost of living, rather that they will simply not apply for jobs that pay badly; they cannot afford to. Because of the way the survey is done, the figures for Asians are skewed because they include jobs that are generally not done by Westerners.

In response to the other comments about skin colour, I think it's worth mentioning that the highest-paid Brit that I know is actually an ethnic Pakistani; the highest paid Australian that I know is an ethnic Indian. Regardless of skin colour or passport, the highest paid jobs in the UAE will go to people who have valuable skills and specialist knowledge and experience - if you happen to have the same generalist skill set as three million other Indians that might apply for the job, it's not surprising if the company picks someone that is willing to work for a low salary.
real estate job expectations
Posted by The Councillor, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 10:51 UAE time

I work in the real estate sector and am on a month to month plan as i have no job security whatsoever...this financial crisis is crippling the real estate secctor in the UAE....i fear for those who have been laid off due to the job market being a closed shop. It really is a case of pure survival at the moment....

I work for a developer in AD and am hoping that i can survive 2009 - but i think i only have a 50/50 chance..the survey findings are spot on imo...
Asian bias
Posted by Shiraj, dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 10:39 UAE time

There is no point in blaming other nationalities about the salary inequalities. Often Asian managed companies seem reluctant to pay more to their own countrymen knowing the living costs back home. Being an indian myself, i mostly steer clear of approaching them since i know their pay limits! Even if it is a western managed company and if your superior happens to be an asian who has the power to fix or quote your salary offer, the chances are that the salary that is going to be quoted will always be less than what other companies pay for similiar jobs.
Expats Earnings
Posted by Kiran, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 10:27 UAE time

Yes we do know a lot of Indians and filipinos have sent money and are better off back home. This is true if they have been here for the last 15 to 20 years and not the present situation where the rents are so high that at least 70% of the salary is paid off for rent. As for Westerns they are paid very well along with the benefits of free accomodation from the company and also education for their children. If they do not have their property back home check their bank balance or their way of expenses. To conclude very few Asians are lucky to have a very good salary here in UAE and in fact we are proud that they are earning it since they deserve it. Mr. Jolly only has to survey more to know about the expats to know who earns more and if so where does the earnings go.
cost of living in home country.
Posted by Leo, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 10:23 UAE time

Rob, Vicky and Jolly are absolutely off the mark in saying that the cost of living in home country should matter in deciding a person's salary.
By that logic, even within the home country, if a person comes from e.g. mumbai and another one from a village in UP should be getting different salaries. ..... no logic...
or a secretary from London should be getting more then her manager from UP in India.... right??
Not even salary, the freedom they enjoy
Posted by ABUSIDRA, DUBAI, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 09:59 UAE time

After enjoying all the freedom, high salary, perks, security etc which they are not allowed freely in their own country, they grumble and grumble & moan. Sick of it. They are the first ones to criticize, exploit, demean, insult others with a sense of superiority. Very soon this creeping recession will show them their real value and worth. Just wait for a while.
Whoa there!!
Posted by Mr Jolly, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 09:39 UAE time

Rob and Vicky have hit the nail on the head. Indian and Filipino expats are many times better off than western expats, based on how far their salaries in the Gulf go in their home countries. I know numerous Indian and Filipino co-workers all of whom have substantial property portfolio's in their own country and whose families live very comfortable lifestyles back home - they are all substantially better off than their western colleagues. So lets put a little perspective on things and stop kidding ourselves here.
basis of salary
Posted by Leo, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 09:35 UAE time

I believe there are hosts of factor that decides the salary of a person, and the color of skin/ nationality is just one of them. Its not the only factor.
A 'Person of Indian Origin' with British Passport, a house in UK and working in ME will most likely not get the same salary as a white Brit.
However, I believe, from my experience, that the most important deciding factor for the salary of a person is his WORK.
Must Try Harder
Posted by Paulw, Kuwait, Kuwait on 8 March 2009 at 09:17 UAE time

Come on Arabian Business News-I am sorry but this can hardly be called a truely representative survey!
60% of the responses work in Companies employing less then 500 people. 78% of the people are from UAE. 34% of the people were from India. Is this really a survey we can put any faith in??????? Must Try Harder next year!
Salary survey
Posted by TCherian, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 09:06 UAE time

Salary must be based on the employee's job experience and output. Not based on nationalities. Multi-national culture in the work atmosphere develops the company's improvement in all field.
Regardless
Posted by pelagia, abu dhabi, united arab emirates on 8 March 2009 at 08:57 UAE time

the sad thing we have to accept - asians get lower salaries than their western counterpart doing the same work
Salary based on UK Housing charges ?????
Posted by Bala, Dubai, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 08:46 UAE time

Your salary in the middle east is not depending upon your housing costs in UK. It depends upon the company, type of job, location and not on your nationality, colour, cast & creed !
One job - one salary - whether the candiate is a multi millionaire or pauper !!!
Salary Survey
Posted by Jimesh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 8 March 2009 at 07:28 UAE time

Companies need to rework on their salary structure based on the output of individuals.Why this racial discrimination on salaries paid?
filipinos were the worst paid
Posted by romeo tolentino, dxb, UAE on 8 March 2009 at 02:21 UAE time

filipinos are underpaid not because of our qualification and experience, but because of our country's economic and social status (we're eating rice and salt fish, sometimes only rice with salt). We are one of the best workers in the wolrd. We are competent, skillfull, creative, industrious, reliable and the best of all loyal. To all CEOs of multinational companies, try to hire us and you will see the difference (you will gain a lot). In general, south asian and souteast asian workers are the best workers in the world compared to westerners because we live a simple life not complicated.
To some point Vicky
Posted by Dan, Stockholm, Sweden on 7 March 2009 at 20:43 UAE time

Yes, cost of housing is higher in UK. But why have the Indian in Dubai, doing the same job as you, have such lower living standard compare to you?

You might send back 10,000 and the Indian 2,000. That’s ok, but with what’s left of the salary, you have a fairly decent living standard while the Indian has to share with a few other families.

That’s the unfair part of the equation.
I used to think it was unfair . . . . but now, not so much
Posted by halima, Sharjah on 7 March 2009 at 17:54 UAE time

I used to think the pay differences were quite disparagining but now I think it a little less. While some things are unfair, I found that the knowledge base and skills of Western expats to be higher than those on this side of the world. Not always, necessarily but in most of the cases, yes. When speaking to many co-workers of mine (Arab, Indian, etc) , I found that my years of study and skill base was almost double theirs and in my case, I only made a tiny bit more than they did. It wasn't that they didn't work just as hard (though many didn't), it was that they couldn't pull from the same knowledge base that I had to pull from. They may have had lots of years of experience but very little knowledge of how to do their jobs effectively. I definitely know Westerners get more perks but like someone else mentioned, they wouldn't come if they didn't.
Cost of living in home countries
Posted by Vicky, Dubai, UAE on 7 March 2009 at 14:02 UAE time

Does your house in India cost upwards of the average house price in the UK which is approx. AED 750,000.00 (this incidentally for a small house or apartment?). It's all down to cost of living in the home country. If Western expats were offered less they wouldn't come - companies make the choice to have them - it's not who you know its what you will accept!
Salary survey
Posted by hombil, Muscat, Oman on 7 March 2009 at 10:58 UAE time

I am surprised that it took a survey to establish a know fact that the western expats earn much more than their counterparts from Indian sub-continent. Besides high salaries, the western expats enjoy perks like, villa with garden/swimming pool; servant/s allowance; club membership; etc. which are denied to the expats from Indian sub-continent. In early days of oil boom, the Brits used to get "hardship" allowance for working in the gulf, which again was not given to the expats from Indian sub-continent.

Agree, western expats pay taxes in their home countries, but the high salary and perks they enjoy are disproportionate to the salaries/perks given to the Indian sub-continent expats. After taxes, their earnings will not be on par with those of others.
fair or not... .
Posted by rob, salmiya, kuwait on 7 March 2009 at 10:57 UAE time

It all comes down to what we can get and what we will take. Like it or not, we're commodities... and if we could go to one shop and get goods or services for half what another place charges, we'd do it.

Home-country cost of living is an enormous factor. Were I in a position where I could live decently, support a family w. the wife not working, build a house, build another one and rent out the first when the family grew, provide a computer for each kid, decent 4wd mini SUV for the wife to drive, etc., etc., etc., I'd be more than happy.

A Filipino colleague was able to do all those things, with the houses in a nice, safe area in Manila. Understandably, sorta, he grumbled about making roughly 1/3 of my wage for reasonably similar work.
Ken, how much tax do you really pay?
Posted by Steve, Dubai, UAE on 7 March 2009 at 10:19 UAE time

Most Americans I know have ways around the real disclosure of their income and ask their companies to show a low base salary to avoid high tax. Not that it is a bad thing, but you guys do make out like bandits irrespective! I just feel bad for all the other nationalities that have to send their families back home so that they can support them with the meager salaries they get.
Total facts
Posted by Ken, MD, USA on 6 March 2009 at 18:35 UAE time

The article should also mention that the Americans still have to pay taxes in the States whereas none of the other nationalities mentioned in this article pay taxes anywhere. Therefore, though it looks as if Americans are making like bandits, after the taxes we pay, we are on par, if not lower, than the rest of Western countries.
Hang On
Posted by Mike, Dubai, UAE on 6 March 2009 at 13:42 UAE time

Why, given that Americans top the table, followed by the Australians and South Africans, with Brits trailing in fourth place, did you choose to headline this story 'Brits earn doulble that of Indians'? Why not 'Yanks earn treble...'?

I'm sure it's nothing to do with playing on post-colonial prejudices to stir up a traffic-generating s***-storm.
RE:Brit expats earn double that of Indian counterparts
Posted by Indian Expat, ABu Dhabi, UAE on 6 March 2009 at 11:43 UAE time

This was never a secret, but good to have a survey confirming popular belief. I think its called the colonial hangover in our part of the world !!
Salary Survey
Posted by John, Dubai, UK on 6 March 2009 at 11:38 UAE time

The disparity as shown in the salary survey clearly shows that it is not what you know but who you are. This is totally unfair and unjustified. Injustice breeds friction which leeds to conflicts. However, the power balance is changing now, and it will not be surprising if things get reversed or at least rearranged.
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