A recent study has revealed that the United Arab Emirates is undergoing a change to its job market, with increased job security and a more competitive market bringing in more skilled expat workers.
According to the 2011 UAE Salary Guide, compiled by leading recruitment firm Robert Half, salaries have largely remained at the same level but many more expats are coming in to fill roles in sectors such as finance, accounting and technology.
Even the oil-rich UAE suffered a crisis of confidence in the wake of the global financial meltdown but results show that this downbeat mood could be experiencing an upswing: “Our survey shows that 86 percent of respondents in Dubai are more confident about their company’s growth prospects compared to the previous year. This compares favourably to the global average of 78 percent. Additionally, 37 percent of respondents from Dubai indicate they are more confident about their job security compared to last year, versus the global average of 21 percent,” the report states.
Expat employee appointments have increased in the UAE recently, and the government has recently announced plans to relax the employment laws that tie employees to their employers in a bid to create more freedom and competition.