UAE firms boost hiring of Asian expats to manage costs

Tuesday, 5 March 2019 19:37

By Sanooj Sherif

Employers in the UAE appear to be hiring more Asian expats, mainly due to their lower salary expectations.

That’s according to online recruitment portal GulfTalent’s latest study, which also indicates disparity between the salaries paid to Asian, Arab and Western nationals with the same job title.

The firm’s Managing Director Yasser Hatami told ARN News that the difference ranges between 20 to 40 per cent.

Indian and Pakistani professionals saw the biggest surge in interest over the past year, followed by those from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

At the same time, American, Canadian and Australian nationals all saw declines in hiring by UAE employers.

Hatami also told ARN News that some employers surveyed reported reaching out to less experienced candidates, in their effort to reduce costs.

For 2019, GulfTalent projects a net 9 per cent growth in UAE employment.

IT and healthcare are expected to be the fastest growing sectors, with both witnessing a 30 per cent year-on-year increase in the volume of hiring.

The study is based on a survey of 300 UAE hiring managers, as well as analysis of talent searches conducted by over 1,000 UAE-based employers.

More from Local News

Emir of Qatar welcomed by UAE President on visit to Abu Dhabi

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
UAE, Pakistan leaders discuss boosting economic ties

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on strengthening economic and development cooperation between the two countries.
UAE, Bosnia FMs discuss strengthening bilateral relations

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, have explored prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation during a telephone conversation.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed launches campaign to rescue 5 million children from hunger

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the 11.5: Edge of Life Ramadan campaign to rescue 5 million children around the world from hunger.
Dubai advances measures to support people of determination

Dubai is advancing new measures to support people of determination, with initiatives aimed at enhancing their rights, services and community inclusion.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to lead UAE delegation at AI Impact Summit in India

On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, will lead the UAE delegation to the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.
Over 14 million Captagon pills, hidden in grain sacks, seized in UAE–Kuwait operation

Teams from Dubai Police and Kuwait have successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking network and foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 14 million Captagon pills inside sacks of corn grains.
Remote learning on Fridays during Ramadan for UAE public schools

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has announced that public school students will switch to remote learning on Fridays during the holy month of Ramadan, marking the second consecutive year of the initiative.
UAE clarifies enrollment rules for British curriculum schools

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has given parents planning to enroll their children in British curriculum schools the option to assess their child's readiness to join Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) if they do not turn three by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
UAE announces temporary road closures in Al Dhaid

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced the temporary closure of Al Dhaid Road Bridge No. 7 on Emirates Road for construction works in two phases.
Umm Al Emarat aid ship sets sail for Gaza Strip

The UAE has dispatched a new aid ship to the Gaza Strip as part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinian people, coinciding with the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
UAE announces Ramadan working hours for private sector

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has confirmed that private sector employees will have their working days reduced by two hours during the holy month of Ramadan.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan highlights nation’s defence vision at naval college ceremony

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, attended the graduation ceremony of the 26th cohort of the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Members of UAE's National Identity Committee unveiled

The National Identity Committee has been established under a decision issued by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Ramadan working hours confirmed for UAE public sector

The UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced the official working hours for federal entities during the holy month of Ramadan.
Kazakhstan crowned champions of UAE SWAT Challenge 2026

Team Kazakhstan 'C' has walked away with a prize money of $80,000 after being crowned the overall champion of the seventh edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026. They secured a total of 536 points.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed attends final day of UAE SWAT Challenge

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the final day of the seventh UAE SWAT Challenge at the Al Ruwayyah training ground in Dubai.
UAE chairs Arab League emergency meeting on Israeli settlement expansion

The UAE has chaired an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo to address recent Israeli decisions to expand settlements in the Palestinian territories.
UAE cracks down on unlicensed domestic worker recruitment platforms

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation shut down 230 social media accounts in 2025 for illegally promoting domestic worker recruitment services.
UAE strongly condemns school shooting in Canada

The UAE has strongly condemned the shooting at a school in western Canada that left 10 dead, including the attacker.

News

Emir of Qatar welcomed by UAE President on visit to Abu Dhabi
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
UAE, Pakistan leaders discuss boosting economic ties
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on strengthening economic and development cooperation between the two countries.
UAE, Bosnia FMs discuss strengthening bilateral relations
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, have explored prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation during a telephone conversation.

UAE firms boost hiring of Asian expats to manage costs

More from Local News

News

Our Shows

Quick Links

Listen on the Go

UAE firms boost hiring of Asian expats to manage costs

Share

More from Local News

News

Our Shows

Quick Links

Listen on the Go