Inside Robert Half

2024 Salary Guide: What’s on the cards for UAE recruitment in 2024?

gareth.el.mettouri — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:36:37 +0000

2024 Salary Guide: What’s on the cards for UAE recruitment in 2024? gareth.el.mettouri Wed, 11/22/2023 - 14:36

The UAE – and particularly Dubai – is going from strength to strength, with business booming and expats coming to the country in droves. Overall, it is a positive picture, but there are still factors preventing businesses from attracting and retaining the global and local talent they need.

Our 2024 Salary Guide analyses starting salaries across more than 100 professional services roles in the UAE, within the finance and accounting, financial services, IT and technology, HR and legal sectors. The salary guide also combines insights from our recruitment team in the region with research amongst employees, revealing the trends that are affecting the job market, and are likely to continue doing so as we move into 2024.

Influx of expats is a boon for business, but job-switching creates instability

There are currently large numbers of expats relocating to the UAE – many of whom are yet to find a role. Candidates are determined to come to Dubai to take advantage of the weather and lifestyle and escape from the less-than-ideal conditions in Europe and the US. More jobseekers mean that the market is less competitive for employers, keeping salaries down.

However, seven in 10 (69%) employees in the UAE are planning to leave their roles in the next eight months – before the end of H2 2024 – which means employers are likely to be facing high levels of workforce churn in the months ahead.

Salaries rising behind inflation

The rising cost of living in the UAE is no secret, and with salaries increasing behind the rate of inflation many employees are feeling the pinch. Across all sectors, starting salaries have increased by 2 per cent, while in August inflation hit 2.3 per cent. After years of high inflation, employees are now having to make sacrifices in order to make ends meet.

In fact, for many, the squeeze on their finances has become so bad that they are looking for a new role that will enable them to meet their obligations. Nearly half (46%) of those looking for a new role cite the rising cost of living as their primary reason to move on.

To retain talent, businesses are deploying a range of tactics, from increasing salaries and allowances to offering additional bonuses or adding benefits to their package, but it is not always enough to keep talent on board – especially when average prices for housing and accommodation prices have increased by 17 per cent year on year.

Focus on talent management drives up HR salaries

Despite the candidate-rich market, the right candidates can be hard to come by and even harder to keep. Many businesses are looking to bolster their talent management teams, leading to a 4.4 per cent increase in starting salaries across the HR sector – more than double the average across all professional services roles.

Packages on offer are not always enough to secure the skills needed to succeed, especially in mid-size organisations. As a result, compensation and benefits experts are able to command some of the highest salaries in the sector – with starting salaries up 8.4 per cent year-on-year – as leaders attempt to find solutions that work for their business and their employees.

What is the outlook for the year ahead?

While jobseekers continue to emigrate to the UAE without roles, low levels of competition will keep salaries down for new hires, despite rising cost of living. Signs from across the pond suggest that inflation will start to slow, but candidates will need to manage their expectations as they may no longer be able to command the sizeable salary increases, they could in the past.

Employees are already cutting back, and employers should consider what additional support and perks and benefits they can offer to ease the financial squeeze. Salary increases and boosts to living allowances will help with retaining talent, but they will likely come at the expense of packages for new starters, making it harder for UAE hirers to attract the best talent on the global market.

Check out the 2024 Salary Guide to find out trends and starting salaries across all sectors for 2024. If you’re hiring or looking for a new role, get in touch.

UAE: The go-to place for global talent

gareth.el.mettouri — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 14:01:21 +0000

UAE: The go-to place for global talent gareth.el.mettouri Fri, 11/17/2023 - 14:01

The UAE is a wonderful place to live. Year-round sunshine, luxury lifestyles and a rich tapestry of cultures are just a few of the reasons you might want to move here. In Dubai alone, for example, 86,607 people moved to the city in the 12 months to June.

As the cost of living continues to rise in the US and the UK, and recession looms for many countries, the UAE has become the go-to place for many people looking to maintain or enhance their quality of life.

Robert Half's Associate Director of the Middle East, Gareth El Mettouri, discussed why the UAE has become the go-to place for global talent. To read more, please click here.

Visa regulations in the UAE and what they mean for expats

robert.half — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 15:51:33 +0000

Visa regulations in the UAE and what they mean for expats robert.half Thu, 10/06/2022 - 15:51

There has never been a better time for expats to consider working in the UAE. UAE visa regulations mean that moving to Abu Dhabi or Dubai offers a plethora of new opportunities for living and working than ever before.

In 2019 the UAE introduced the 10-year residency visa. More recently in October 2022, longer visits for tourists became available along with a five-year green visa aimed at skilled professionals and freelancers without the need of sponsorship. The new 10-year 'golden visa' was also introduced for professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the country as well as exceptional students.

These government initiatives, along with several others, is part of a new push to attract and retain skilled professionals to the UAE. Huge investments in tourism, finance and construction industries have led to good economic growth for the region and created an undercurrent of optimism for business leaders.

The thriving startup culture has also helped to drive growth further, fueling fierce demand for skilled talent.

Related: Five reasons to move to Dubai

Our latest Salary Guide research shows that demand is still high for skilled expatriates in the UAE region — it remains a hiring priority for UAE business leaders. This is especially true in the finance, accounting, legal and technology sectors. The new visa regulations offer an attractive lure for expat specialists within these sectors who may be thinking of moving to the UAE.

New UAE visa regulations for expats

• 100% foreign ownership

Until mid-2019, foreign investors were only permitted to own 49% of a company registered in the UAE, but government reforms now facilitate 100% ownership across 13 sectors to encourage more investment.

This particular initiative has already proven successful, as shown by Uber’s recent acquisition of UAE competitor, Careem, and Amazon’s acquisition of Souq.com. Professionals thinking of moving to the UAE may find they have more opportunities for internal relocation with their current employer.

• Freehold ownership of land and properties

Abu Dhabi has introduced a new freehold law which allows foreign investors to buy property within designated investment zones, where previously, only UAE and GCC nationals could buy.

A rule was recently amended by royal decree to help entice large corporates to establish offices within the region. It could provide an additional influx of stable, long-term job opportunities for expats via current employers.

• 10-year Residency UAE Visa

The 10-year residency UAE visa was introduced to provide more long-term residency options for a selection of expatriates. The ‘golden card’ UAE visa application is open to investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives, scientists, and outstanding students.

The introduction of this UAE visa application means that expats can look forward to a more settled, long-term career in the region. Applicants must meet certain UAE visa requirements to gain the new card, which can be renewed on a rolling basis.

• 10-year Golden UAE Visa residency system

The 10-year Golden Visa has been awarded to thousands of people in the UAE. This visa focuses on the recognition of highly skilled people, professionals who have made great contributions to the country and individuals who have been crucial to economic growth. As long as the applicant can meet the requirements every 10 years, then the golden visa will be renewed.

You can read more on the 10-year golden visa requirements to find out whether you could be eligible - they are typically given to entrepreneurs, researchers and exceptional students.

• 5-year Green UAE Visa

The new Green UAE Visa can be used by professionals for up to 5 years and is a great option for investors, self-employed individuals, business partners and skilled workers. This allows for a 5-year residency in the UAE without the need for sponsorship and also allows them to bring immediate relatives into the country with them for the duration of their stay.

There is a 60-day work permit for anyone looking to apply for a Green Visa so that the application can be completed once they have arrived in the country.

• A new version of the UAE passport

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security have released a new version of the UAE passport. It now has enhanced security using polycarbonate and intricate spectrum patterns, a security thread and a 3D marking showing date-of-birth. You can apply for one through IPC's website or app.

Considering your career prospects in the UAE?

If you’re thinking of moving to the UAE, you can find your UAE visa requirements by visiting the Emirates website and entering your information.

If you want to see what's out there, you can browse our latest jobs in the UAE, upload your CV, or talk to one of our experts today.

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