Dubai: There were doubts and uncertainty over the employment situation at Careers Fair 2009, which ended yesterday after three days of receiving job applications from Emiratis.
The rhythm of visitors was slower than last year and didn't meet exhibitors' expectations, according to many of them at the fair.
A majority of Emiratis still prefer being employed in the government.
Video: Public or private: Emiratis speak at career fair
Rabab Al Beloushi, a national working in the private sector, said: "As an Emirati, I definitely want to work for the government sector to secure my future. As everyone knows, the government sector doesn't get rid of Emiratis under any circumstance - not to mention the advantages as well as the appreciation that the government provides its employees with, unlike the private sector."
"Most Emiratis don't feel secure [in the private sector] because they might be asked to leave without a notice or without an obvious reason. In most cases they keep rotating them between the sections in order to make them hate the job and therefore resign willingly," said Al Beloushi.
A few other Emiratis such as Hessa Ahmad, Galia Surour and Fatima Al Haji agreed with her.
Rashid Saeed Yousuf, an Emirati employee in the semi-government sector, said: "I worked in a government sector for almost seven years and I'm interested to apply for another position also within the government sector in order to improve my skills.
"I do want to change. I'd like to remain with the government sector because it's a source of security not only to me, but to all Emiratis."
He said nowadays many private sector companies were firing Emiratis.
"However, our country, no matter what the situation is, will never ever dismiss us. Therefore jobs at government departments are more secure" he said.
Abdullah Al Hammadi, a marketing promotion executive at a private company, said: "The number of visitors [at the fair] is obviously less than the previous year. That also applies to the number of exhibitors because many companies didn't take part this year. Also, earlier, the sizes of some stands were really huge. But this year, the stands are humble in comparison."
He said the reason might be the impact of the current global financial crisis.
Al Hammadi said: "Many big companies are participating for mere public relations. When you ask them whether they want employees, they say, without mentioning any reasons, that they have temporarily stopped hiring people. As for the company I work for, we have a target. We want to hire 200 Emiratis before September 9."
Ahmad Al Mutawa, customer relationship officer, at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, said: "Certainly, the demand was much higher last year. However, I can't say it's a noticeable decrease because we have received many applications. We welcome the Emiratis and have vacancies for them. And we assigned a special department just for employing Emiratis. Currently we need more than 200 Emiratis."
