UAE workers could change jobs in the coming months and are looking to stay in the country for the long term, according to a salary survey in the county.
Employees are looking for better salaries and improved work-life balance said the Michale Page 2024 UAE Salary Guide.
Meanwhile, the UAE and other countries in the GCC are on the verge of being able to apply for new travel rules to visit the United Kingdom.
Elsewhere, dates were set for a three-week holiday for schools in Dubai and Saudi Arabia issued rules on the duration of Eid breaks in the Kingdom this year.
Dubai real estate hit the headlines once again, with experts identifying the best neighbourhoods for investors and a leading developer breaking ground on a major project in the city.
Catch up with 10 of the biggest stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors.
UAE salary guide 2024: Most employees seek job change, salaries revealed
UAE employees are confident about securing a new role within the next three months, according to the new Michael Page salary guide 2024. When asked about the factors that influence the need to seek for a new opportunity, respondents listed:
- Better salary package,
- Lack of career development opportunity
- The need for more responsibility
According to the guide, hiring sentiments in the UAE are positive despite economic challenges around the world with over 70 percent of respondents indicating the belief that their work-life balance is also set to improve in the next year.
The survey also revealed that more candidates are moving to the UAE and seeking to make it a long-term home with 73 percent stating that they will stay in the country for five years or more for three top factors being, career prospects, safety and living conditions.
UK to scrap pre-entry visa requirements for UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain from February 22, Qatar already exempt
From February 1, citizens of GCC countries can apply for the UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme instead. Qataris have been able to travel using the ETA since November, 2023, and now the remaining GCC countries and Jordan can apply for the scheme, which gives permission to travel to the UK.
The ETA means citizens of theUAE and other Gulf countries can visit the UK for an unlimited number of times in a two-year period, according to the UAE embassy in the UK. The UK is enduringly popular with tourists from Gulf countries, with the government estimating around 800,000 visitors from Gulf countries in 2022.
Ramadan 2024: Dubai schools to shut for three-week spring break during Holy month, Eid Al Fitr
The KHDA, responsible for overseeing education in Dubai, has revealed that the spring break will begin on March 25, with classes resuming on April 15 for private schools that follow a September academic year.
The spring break coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on either March 11 or 12. Schools can expect an extended break if Eid Al Fitr, which could likely start on April 8 or 9.
Dubai real estate sales hit $112bn last year – which areas offer best return for investors as prices leap 49% and rent returns tipped at 11%?
Bayut has unveiled its 2023 Dubai Property Market Report, shedding light on the most coveted areas within the emirate’s real estate sector.
The report shows that Dubai’s property sector ended 2023 on a high and Bayut forecasts an upward trajectory of property prices in the city, establishing a favourable setting for sellers and landlords.
Saudi Arabia announces 25% Saudization of engineering private sector jobs
This mandate will apply to all private sector establishments employing at least five individuals in engineering professions.
The initiative is part of the ongoing efforts by the two ministries to create more job opportunities for both male and female citizens across various regions of the Kingdom, according to local media reports.
Revealed: Dubai property leasing deals jump 400% in January 2024
The surge in property leasing is also leading to a spike in demand for property management firms in Dubai as homeowners are eager to start earnings on their investments at the earliest.
As many as 47,000 residential units are estimated to have been completed in Dubai in 2023, a whopping 50 percent jump from the approximately 31,000 residential properties completed in the previous year.
Dubai traffic: Top lawyer Habib Al Mulla calls for Salik price hike to combat congestion
The first proposal is to introduce a dynamic toll system with variable tariffs. Fees would rise during peak times to direct traffic to other streets and avoid high fees. Tariffs would decrease when congestion is less to achieve more fairness for road users.
The second proposal is to impose double fees in the central business district area during working hours. Like many other cities, this aims to spare business districts from unnecessary traffic.
Dubai real estate: Majid Al Futtaim breaks ground on $817m Tilal Al Ghaf project
Contracts for Alaya and Elysian Mansions are worth AED3bn ($817m) and are expected to reach completion in mid-2026. The primary contract for Elysian Mansions was awarded to Innovo Build LLC, part of the ASGC group.
The UAE project is set to comprise of 94 five-bedroom and six-bedroom waterfront villas with living areas starting 11,000 square feet. The contract for Alaya is awarded to Unec for 407 villas across a 2,000,090 sqm neighbourhood.
Saudi Arabia announces Eid holiday rules, sets minimum 4-day break
The announcement was made following a Cabinet session chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
The Cabinet decision said government institutions should observe a minimum four working day holiday for both Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha in the Kingdom.
Sheikh Hamdan announces new leaders in Dubai government entities
The new appointments were approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“Today we announce the approval of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for a group of appointments in Dubai government departments, wishing the new leaders success in serving Dubai and its people, and preserving the achievements recorded during the past period, and we will follow up on their work in the next phase to ensure that the level of government services and performance is raised. To new horizons that live up to our great ambitions,” Sheikh Hamdan said via an X post.
Follow us on
