New visa rules are predicted to create a flood of jobseekers in the UAE market in the next year.
The changes, which came into effect on Monday, will lead more businesses to offer freelance work, project-based employment and part time roles, recruiters said.
Talib Hashim, managing director of TBH advisory, a Dubai-based talent and business advisory firm, predicted high competition for jobs in a market where candidates far outnumber available roles.
This should lead to a boom for recruitment and also bring more competition in the job markets. Local talent will have to compete with international talent
Talib Hashim,
TBH advisory
“These changes have been in discussion for years and will add more flexibility and mobility of expat talent,” he said on ARN's Business Breakfast radio show.
“In order to have a more knowledge based economy there needed to be a mechanism to attract the skilled worker, this move was overdue and the pandemic accelerated the need for this to happen.
“This should lead to a boom for recruitment and also bring more competition in the jobs markets, as local talent will have to compete with international talent tapping into the job market here."
Under the old system, the vast majority of expats worked for a single company who sponsored their residency visa and provided their medical insurance.
While that will continue, more companies are expected to offer freelance and project based work to keep costs such as medical insurance and school fee subsidies down.
Earlier this year, research by jobs portal Bayt.com found that 87 per cent of freelancers said there was an increase in their services since the start of the pandemic, while 70 per cent of firms in the Middle East region planned to hire more on a project-by-project basis.
Freelance visa costs
As the changes attract more talent from overseas to apply for jobs in the UAE, competition is expected to increase among those already living here.
Affordable freelance visas and no requirements for office space, which was once a requirement, have made the self-employed option a cheaper and easier process for flexible working.
A one-year freelance permit costs Dh7,500, with additional costs of Dh2,000 for an establishment card.
A freelance employment visa in Dubai, valid for three years, costs from Dh4,960, bringing the total fees to around Dh14,460, which includes a medical, visa stamping and Emirates ID.
While set-up costs are low, freelancers are unable to sponsor employees and are restricted to one of Dubai’s 35 registered free zones.
In addition, five and 10-year residency schemes aim to attract more skilled professionals and those with medicine and science backgrounds, and highly sought after skills.
Meanwhile, wealthy investors, entrepreneurs and company owners are also being sought in the hope they will set down roots, invest in property and make the country their long-term home.
Tough job market
"One of the biggest concerns among young people is what they do after university due to the lack of options, this will allow them time and flexibility to find the right career for them,” said Mr Hashim.
“The Emirati community is concerned as the job market has taken a hit in recent years.
“Increased competition means the Emirati community will not just have to compete with the local talent already here, but an influx of new international talent.
“Because of that we are seeing a different conversation between policy makers and community," he said.
“Initiatives are being rolled out to enable Emiratis in the job market, but this will constitute a challenge for Emiratis and long term residents.
“They must look at how they can differentiate their skills against the competition from overseas.
“We need to look at showing the need for local knowledge among employers.
“There needs to be an understanding of local culture and networks and the locals are the best people to tap into that, so there is a great opportunity here.”
Project-based work and freelance work
Green visas aimed at skilled workers, freelancers and the self-employed will also grant a five-year residency, as long as certain criteria is fulfilled.
Applicants require a monthly salary of Dh15,000 and a bachelor's degree in certain skilled fields, including science, law, education, culture or social sciences, among others.
This option is also appealing to those with a two- or three-year trade licence to work in a freelance capacity, but new applicants must be aware of potential pitfalls.
Rebecca Kelly, litigation and regulatory partner with Morgan Lewis & Bockius, told the same ARN show that new rules allowing residents to sponsor themselves and their family changes the employment market significantly.
“Visa regulators have been in place since 1973 without any significant changes, so these are long overdue,” she said.
“The changes reflect the trend towards more hybrid and remote working, but also has allowed companies to consider alternative work patterns for people.
“We have part time working available now and these changes reflect that.
“You still have an obligation to meet certain criteria, such as being able to afford a certain lifestyle and earn a minimum wage through your company.
“The fundamental issue is that any rights with a previous employer would then be taken up by yourself as self-employed.
“This can be acting around repatriation costs, medical insurance and taking holidays.
“You no longer have an employer to keep records to ensure those things have been met.”
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
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Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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Results:
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Majd Al Gharbia, Saif Al Balushi, Ridha ben Attia
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed Dh 180,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Money To Burn, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Francis%20Lawrence%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ERachel%20Zegler%2C%20Peter%20Dinklage%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Tom%20Blyth%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Test squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan(wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah
Twenty20 squad: Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz
'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
