The UAE government is thinking about (or has already put in place?) a law that will prohibit private companies from firing UAE nationals from their jobs. Of course this does not count if the employee does something wrong and that’s the reason for him being sacked. But what in an economic downturn? You cant fire people as a company owner or CEO or HR boss. Or at least you have to choose by nationality rather then work related reasons.
We understand that a country is trying to protect nationals, fair enough. But have you thought of the consequences? What will be the effects of this? Will companies still hire new UAE nationals or rather easy to fire expats? What is your opinion? Is this good? Or rather not so cool? How would you feel as an expat if you get fired rather than your UAE national colleague? You are a UAE national, how do you feel about this new law? Please post your comments below…
This has become quite a thorny topic, and with good reason. As you mention in your post, expats feel that they’re being treated unfairly. I’m an expat in Dubai myself.
But here’s the thing, UAE nationals have to look after their own best interests first. This is their country after all. Other countries implement similar measures: for example the US does the same thing by limiting H1-B visas.
I don’t think this new law protecting nationals from getting fired was the perfect thing to do. It will have some negative side-effects on nationals in the future. But I do think it was a step in the right direction for them. I’m sure that as they start seeing the impact of this new policy they will amend the law as necessary.
Yes – and i completely agree with Wissam.
i think it is a bad idea….like the artical said ….will people still hire new nationals knowing that they cant fire them? i dont know… i dont think i would… would you hire someone that you couldnt fire? If this turns into a problem, will the nationals be upset and get the law changed back…..that would look bad…..try to make a law to pertect the jobs and intern screw them out of new work. Also if the national want the law changed then it looks like they were crying to have special rightes then , they cry to have them law changed back. I dont think it would be a good idea….. PASS THIS MESSAGE ON..
OK, I understand the country’s willing to protect nationals, but I think it’ll make themselves worse and weak if they put a law. I believe Dubai could have successfully grown because they didn’t have such an unfair rule, I mean one of the reasons why many people came over from outside is because everyone could do their business fairly. Also, I believe that law can protect natilnals for the time being but it will surely spoil nationals in the long view. That law is weakening themselves.
..”Yes – and i completely agree with Wissam” ???
only because you are local?
will you be motivated to work hard if you can’t get fired? i dont think so. this means more pressure on expats and a drop in productivity for all companies acting as employers of UAE nationals.
Wissam, US can afford to limit H1B visas, they have enough local population to find the required personnel for the work. Here they cant do that coz theres not enough locals, and among those they are just getting trained to be in the workforce. When the time comes, let them limit employment visas.
Firstly, why cant the locals just like in any other country work in any profession? Why is it only certain nationals are chosen for certain jobs. What makes them different to other nationals. To learn and know human and money value, they need to be exposed to all jobs whatever it maybe. Every job has its dignity.
So if a law protects them, then they will take it for granted, which they already are, else they wouldnt have retaliated and would have absorbed as a comapny decision. They dont want to accept this or any cuts in pay. There are thousand who have lost job here in UAE. We didnt see anybody cry in public? can they even speak about it? nope… so lets be fair for once…. they need to earn their position… not handed over….
well am with the law.. well mostly UAE nationals get lower salaries than expats + they don’t get as much benefits as the expats so it is logical that the company should focus on firing expacts since they spend more money on them than locals …
add to that this is UAE and it belongs to Emiratis and they are the ones who should have their jobs since there is no other place to them. Expats can go anytime to their counties… Emirati ppl can’t go anywhere
I am sure if the same thing happened in ur country … or any another country .. the same decision would be made …. each country should look ofter its people and locals …
I don’t believe that it will have any negative effects on UAE because we are now educated and knowledge and we can take care of our country well …
There is nothing wrong with this at all …
Of course yes… This will increase the unemployment rate in the UAE, and eventually the countries GDP will get worse.. In addition, where shall we serve? other economies and countries??!!! Of course no….
We deserve to get the opportunities and not the EXPATS…
yes
Yes Yes Yes locals should be protected and with all means…. Most of the locals are well educated and I believe they are experts in their fields… They will serve their own country better than others…. It is really the time for LOCALS to show the whole world they are capable to serve their own country…. Expats are getting paid more than locals, so it is a logical decision for any company to layoff them and save money…
then no company will hire them altogether!
another law should also be made that only locals will be hired for the jobs like municipality cleaners,maids and taxi drivers.
Is the UAE forgetting that the success of this country is due to the expats. What now that it has been built up lets can them all. Many of you are complaining about lower wages and benefits. Does an expat complain about the fact that when an expat male is born in this country he doesnt receive a piece of land, or get a villa built for him when he gets married. Most of the locals here are actually under educated, just was able to get a degree because of who his father was or what sheik they know.
Stop kidding yourself, if it wasnt for the expats the UAE wouldnt be what it is today. The nationals have alot owed to the expats that built this region
Yousef
UAE and nationals have nothing to owe Expact. its not like expact worked in UAE to build it!!! Expact come to UAE to have a better life and money which they cant have in there own country, so Expact is the ones who owe UAE. In Addition why do you envey us of what our government give us, its our country, you go to your country and ask for land and house not in our countr, also you make it sound like every uae have a house and a land, while the truth is larg numbers live in rent houses and the ones who get a land get it after years and years of waiting. Moreover we dont complain of lower wages, there are UAE nationals who works as a cashier and they dont say anything, and ufcourse the expact will not complain coz thier salaries are hier than the UAE with all the good benifets and they even dont have a dgree, all the expact hire there friends and family leaving UAE nationals with no jobs, educate your self man and make some research you will find that thaousands of UAE are will educated and form forign universities, who do you think your self coming and talk like that?!!! if you have the balls write your full name, go back to your country instead of taking our salaries and build your country
Yes this is our country, and if I am the expat in your country I don't think they will hire me with a higher salary than u plus a good benefits so please be careful when u r talking about our rights as a local in our country and to discuss our government rules u came here to have a better live and as a local we respect every one with different nationalities. I hate people who r trying to create problems between the locals and the expat. We r happy in our country and we live peacefully with different nationalities and please try to enjoy your better life, benefits, tax free salary and the best services in our country and try to live peacefully with us the locals.