UAE | Employment

Expat workforce concerned over emiratisation plan

The federal government announcement that up to 10,000 expatriate secretaries in the UAE will be replaced by UAE nationals, has provoked concern among many foreigners currently in secretarial positions.

  • By Zoi Constantine, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 July 3, 2006
  • Gulf News

Dubai: The federal government announcement that up to 10,000 expatriate secretaries in the UAE will be replaced by UAE nationals, has provoked concern among many foreigners currently in secretarial positions.

According to Ministry of Labour officials, up to half of the expatriate secretarial workforce could be made redundant, with the ministry earmarking these positions for nationals. The process is aimed at creating jobs for unemployed nationals.

However, with 10,000 positions on the line, many expatriate secretaries say that while they understand the rationale behind the initiative, they feel vulnerable and concerned about their future.

"Of course, we are worried about losing our jobs here," said a Dubai-based secretary who wished to be identified only as Mary.

"I certainly do not blame the government for allocating more jobs for citizens. But at the same time, I feel as though I have contributed to the development of my company and I do not want to leave the country when I moved here especially to work."

An Indian secretary, identifying herself as Murial, says that she feels concerned about her position within the hotel industry, which she has held for nearly two years. "I definitely feel very vulnerable," she said. "But, I have to just tell myself, 'whatever happens, happens'.

As workers in a foreign country, we don't really have any choice in the matter. I would be disappointed if I had to leave, but I have been dealt quite a few hard knocks in my life, that I know I would find other opportunities elsewhere."

Others are equally philosophical about the situation, saying that the country's laws and regulations must be respected.

"I have no idea what is going to happen and I am certainly worried, because I came here just to work," said Amy, a secretary for a company in the industrial sector. "However, if it is God's will, then I will just go back to my home country. We must respect the government and understand that national employees have to be given priority."

However, some secretaries said their employers have indicated their intention to move them into different positions when the change is enforced, rather than dismiss them altogether.

Lot, a Filipino secretary who works for an international company, indicated that she is not concerned about the new regulations, saying that she is confident she will not be "deserted" by her employer.

"I have worked for the company for three years and my boss is not going to just abandon me," she told Gulf News.

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