UAE records drop in unemployment rate, but, with stagnant salaries

The Minister of Economy, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, however, said that this level is still too high, and need to be brought down further.

Speaking during the release of UAE Economic Report for 2009, he particularly pointed out the tendency of Emirati professionals as being ‘choosy’ and constantly on the lookout for better prospects.

The report indicated that 53percent of UAE population is employed, while 19.9percent of them are not interested in working. While the rate of employment among expatriate workers is 79 percent, the employment rate among nationals is only 45 percent, as per the report released by the National Statistics Bureau.

The report also revealed that despite the economic downturn and job scarcity, expatriates are still re-locating to the UAE.

In the meanwhile, yet another survey of 92 HR Managers, conducted by the networking group Pink Slip Dubai, together with market research firm Insight Discovery, it was found that the job market in the UAE is showing signs of growth in finances, sales and marketing, with HR professionals in high demand, but salaries continue to remain stagnant.

Atleast eight out of ten survey respondents also said that the employment market has grown between 5 and 20 percent in 2010, compared to 2009. The real estate and construction sectors witnessed maximum decline in jobs.

On the other hand, salaries in UAE have not increased this year, agreed half the respondents, and 36percent reported decrease in wages in the range of 5% to 25% in 2010, compared to 2009.

Posted on 31/5/2010

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