About 89 per cent of professionals across the Middle East and North Africa region plan to do more freelance work in 2023, as demand surges for their services and employers seek cost-effective ways to deliver projects within tight deadlines, according to a survey by jobs portal Bayt.com.
The biggest motivations for taking up freelance work include earning extra income, exploring more career opportunities and learning new skills, Bayt.com said.
The survey, conducted from December 4 to January 6, polled 2,375 professionals and employers from 18 Mena countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.
Freelance jobs - in pictures
“Freelancers are one of the fastest-growing segments in the Middle East market and this has been boosted by the pandemic,” said Ola Haddad, director of human resources at Bayt.com.
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, employees around the world have been leaving their jobs at much higher rates than normal, in what has been called The Great Resignation.
This comes as they seek a better work-life balance and more flexibility with their jobs, with many turning hobbies into viable career options as freelancers or small business owners.
Demand for freelance workers has also surged as technology continues to advance and employers become more adaptable to remote working.
The fastest-growing industries for Mena freelancers in 2023 include digital marketing, information technology, customer service and graphic design, the Bayt.com survey found.
Employers in the region believe there are multiple benefits to hiring freelancers, with 44 per cent of respondents to the survey saying they are better at delivering within tight deadlines.
Twenty per cent of those polled said freelancers are a good option for contingency planning between hires, 18 per cent said they are a cost-effective option and 17 per cent believe they provide extra help for small teams and departments, the survey found.
Meanwhile, 36 per cent of respondents said time management was a top skill required by freelancers, 24 per cent said good communication was needed and 12 per cent cited leadership experience.
Watch: The stats behind the UAE's hiring boom
“Eighty-six per cent revealed that their company is planning to hire freelancers in 2023 and 78 per cent say that their company offered a full-time job to the freelancer after completing a project,” Bayt.com said.
“Respondents usually search for freelance jobs on online job sites and professional platforms, social media, companies’ websites and personal networks.”
However, there are a number of challenges associated with freelancing, including a lack of job security, less pay than full-time jobs, lack of extra benefits and fewer chances of receiving a promotion, it added.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 3
Sadio Man 28'
Andrew Robertson 34'
Diogo Jota 88'
Arsenal 1
Lacazette 25'
Man of the match
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
