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Labor market in Dubai

Labor market in Dubai
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Updated byLama Al-Haqhaqon 14 October 2016

In this article, find essential information to help you find a job in Dubai. 

Dubai has an open labor market though very competitive. Workers are needed in the high-tech sector, computer science, tourism, luxury industry or catering. Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of Arabic is not a prerequisite.

The labor market in Dubai is very flexible resulting in high staff turnover. You can find or change jobs easily, but you can lose your job as easily.

Note that working conditions in Dubai are excellent in terms of facilities, technological infrastructure or transportation means.

Job search in Dubai

Experts believe that foreign nationals looking for a job in Dubai should wait for the right moment. Indeed, the city is famous for the attractive opportunities it provides for foreign skills, thus increasing competition on the labor market. In fact, the city's employee turnover is particularly high.

Therefore, for more chances of being hired, you are advised to avoid the Ramadan period. As the country is governed by Islam, hiring becomes secondary due to the fact that working hours are shortened so as to allow Emiratis devote themselves to their religion and fasting.

It can also be quite difficult to find a job in Dubai during winter holidays, that is from December to January. During this period, many foreign senior executives move back home to spend their holidays.

You are thus advised to try your luck between July and August which is the moving period for foreign nationals. However, these are pieces of advice which do not prevent you from search from a job at any time you wish.

Good to know:

Priority is given to UAE nationals in certain fields of activity (travel agencies, temporary staffing agencies, real estate agencies, in the public sector, in banking or insurance).

The legal working time is 48 hours per week. Workers are entitled to 30 days of vacation a year.

Any breach in your work contract may lead to an employment ban in the UAE.

Useful links:

½ûÂþÌìÌà ' Work in Dubai Forum
½ûÂþÌìÌà ' Jobs in Dubai
UAE Ministry of Labor
Dubai Jobs
Kershaw Leonard
Hays
Nadia
BAC Middle East
Charterhouse
Michael Page

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

I obtained a degree in Journalism in 2018 and am experienced in writing primarily feature articles for news publications. I also have over 10 years of professional experience in SEO.

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Comments

  • akkubax
    akkubax10 years ago(Modified)
    Dear Friends, this is akbar from india. i have 10 years exp in automotive sales. Could you help me to how to get job in dubai plssss. mail me at akbar02@gmail.com. expecting your valuable reply.
  • Ovsienko
    Ovsienko11 years ago(Modified)
    Working in Dubai is a great opportunity to learn about all the nationalities of the world. It is a pleasant environment, people are very friendly, service is on a high level in each and every sphere. If you want to work in hospitality you will get a remarkable experience as the standards here are the highest standards in the world. Just I would like you to know also that working in hospitality in Dubai is not easy. Yes you will be provided with accommodation, transportation and food but all these things are of a very bad quality. The working hours are 9 hours per day 6 days a week. In a high season you might stay for 12 hours. So if you want to get experience you will for sure but you will work REALLY HARD.

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