UAE | Employment
Private sector expat management to blame for 'lazy national' stereotypes
The private sector is the main factor behind the stereotyping image of UAE nationals as lazy and not interested to work, said Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour.
- By Wafa Issa and Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:00 July 23, 2006
Dubai: The private sector is the main factor behind the stereotyping image of UAE nationals as lazy and not interested to work, said Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour.
Ministry of Labour officials and the National Human Resources and Employment Authority (Tanmia) criticised the private sector saying the stereotyping of UAE nationals as not interested to work and lazy is part of the unwillingness of the private sector to employ UAE nationals.
Dr Al Ka'abi said the private sector employs expatriates because they are willing to work under harsh conditions. The situation is exploited by the private sector. These workers do not challenge the management. The private sector labels nationals as lazy and uses this only as an excuse not to employ them.
"UAE nationals are quite capable of proving themselves in any position once they are given the right opportunities and proper training. God created us differently but we all have the same body and brain, if an expatriate can do the job a UAE national can do it as well," said Dr Al Ka'abi.
Dr Khalid Al Khazraji, Undersecretary of Ministry of Labour said that in many cases UAE nationals are discriminated against. "The private sector is discriminating against UAE nationals not because they are not willing to work but because those companies are greedy and are scared of UAE nationals who stand up for their rights and demands appropriate working conditions," said Dr Al Khazraji.
Ayesh Al Barghouthi, Director of the Employment and Skills Development Centre at Tanmia said that what is needed a change in the mind set of the employers. UAE nationals are committed and willing to work but lack some skills that could be developed and improved.
"The expatriate management in many cases feel intimidated to manage UAE nationals because they have tough control on their expatriate employees, something that is not tolerated by the nationals," said Al Barghouti, adding that managers should not rely on controlling the workforce but leading it.
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