United Arab Emirates, well-established as a top destination for tourists, has recently been ranked a ‘Top 10’ destination for workers as well, according to the Relocating for Work survey conducted by Manpower Middle East in April.
As part of a worldwide research paper carried out by Manpower Inc., a global employment services firm, 31,574 people in 27 countries were asked about their preferred work destinations. The robust job market of the UAE, known to attract an educated, quality workforce from all over the globe, ranked 6th internationally, behind the US, UK, Spain, Canada and Australia. Among workers already in the Middle East, the UAE was determined to be the preferred work destination, followed by Qatar (5th), Saudi Arabia (8th), and Bahrain (9th).
The Gulf has emerged as a nucleus of opportunity, teaming with multinational corporations and attractive employment prospects. The rapid growth within the region has precipitated considerable demand for workers, which is at an all-time high.
Primary motivating factors for job relocation amongst those surveyed in the Middle East include: increased salary, better employment opportunities, and more possibilities for career advancement.
Now, the challenge for many companies is retaining their assets. While it is advantageous to attract workers who are open to relocating, this has proven to be a precarious strategy. Those who were willing to move for a job in the first place are more likely to relocate again if offered higher salaries or better career opportunities.
Companies are making efforts to minimize this tendency and increase company loyalty however, by offering appealing employee benefit packages. Pension plans are becoming a vital component of the employment offer as employees are looking to secure their futures, and employers are looking to retain their staff.
The encouraging results of the Manpower Inc. survey point to the vast efforts companies are making to cultivate the infrastructure of the corporate culture throughout the region.
