Unemployment
in the UAE
DISCUSSION:
Unemployment
is growing at an alarming rate. There are lots of reasons for unemployment
problems among the Emiratis. According to the Gulf News (Tuesday, March 13,
2012) “the members of the Federal National Council asked the government to
create more jobs for unemployed Emiratis, especially university graduates.
Saeed Nasser Al Khatheri, a representative from Ras al Khaimah asked how a
country like the UAE with an economy creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and
citizens accounting only for less than 15 per cent of the population, has an
unemployment problem.”
One of the
important factors leading to unemployment in the UAE is nepotism. It means
favouring relatives or friends for a job rather than efficiency, qualification
and merit. According to a poll conducted by CIA ( Central Intelligence Agency),
The World Factbook 74 per cent of people voted that nepotism was the main
reason behind unemployment. There are many cases which I have personally seen.
A high official in any institution or organization prefers a relative for a job
to a highly qualified non-relative.
Supply and
Demand:
The Arab
League Report forecasts that the workforce in the UAE is expected to grow by 3
per cent, whereas demand for jobs may grow by 2.5 per cent. According to the
Gulf News report, there are between 12,000 and 13,000 Emirati jobseekers annually
only in Abu Dhabi. The UAE is expected to create more than 60,000 new jobs over
ten years.
Expatriates:
The Mohammed
Bin Rashid Maktoum Foundation reports that 90 per cent of private sector jobs
in the United Arab Emirates are taken by expatriates. These expatriates are
given legal residence permits temporarily. They are ready to accept any kind of
job packages. They are flexible in accepting the offer including long working
hours and a few holidays in the private sector. However the Emiratis do not
prefer jobs in the private sector because of low salary. But certain highly
paid positions in the private sector are taken by experienced and well
qualified Emiratis. The Emiratis prefer jobs in the public sector because of
higher salaries and short working hours and more holidays. A process called
Emiratisation is going on; many companies have taken action to solve the
problem of unemployment. HSBC has terminated 123 expatriate employees and replaced
them with Emiratis.
Education:
According to
the Gulf News, “Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher
Education and Scientific Research, said that emiratisation remained a key
priority to be tackled by the government to give adequate opportunity to the
people of the UAE to prove their merit in various fields of work and contribute
effectively to the development of the country”. According to the Gulf News
report, the UAE’s investment is enormous in education, leadership training and
entrepreneurial programmes to prepare more Emiratis to join the workforce in
both the private and public sectors. The number of graduates is increasing every year since more Emiratis
are keen on joining universities.
Emiritisation:
According to The National newspaper report, in
the real sense
Emiratisation is giving right jobs to the right people although it is
not as easy as it looks. It is necessary to enhance the career path
experience for youths and create a sincere feeling that they are
playing a role in the prosperity of their nation.
Emiratisation is giving right jobs to the right people although it is
not as easy as it looks. It is necessary to enhance the career path
experience for youths and create a sincere feeling that they are
playing a role in the prosperity of their nation.
·Unemployment is becoming a
serious problem that has to be tackled urgently.
·Emiratisation should be
that the right people are given the right job.
·Creating a community wide
platform to have meetings and implement solutions to the unemployed.
·It is the responsibility
of the Emiratis for the prosperity of their nation.
Conclusion:
In my opinion, Emiratis
should not hesitate to accept jobs in the private sector if they are offered,
and they should not be choosey in the beginning because gaining experience is
highly important. This enables a person to become more skilful and efficient in
one’s job. Moreover, nepotism should be
checked and controlled. Preference should be given for qualification and
efficiency.
References:
2020. "Emiratisation means much more than mere quota filling - The National." Latest and breaking news | thenational.ae - The National. N.p., 3 Nov. 2012. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/economics/emiratisation-means-much-more-than-mere-quota-filling.
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