UAE | General
Rapid growth threatens to erode identity
The UAE's rapid economic growth has attracted millions of foreign workers over the past three decades, due to which Emiratis today account for less than 20 per cent of the national population.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:04 May 28, 2008
Dubai: The UAE's rapid economic growth has attracted millions of foreign workers over the past three decades, due to which Emiratis today account for less than 20 per cent of the national population.
Given future projections that the population will double in the next 10 years, the scenario is likely to get worse in terms of the ratio of nationals and foreigners, affecting the national identity of the UAE.
"We should try to bring in more [workers] from the Arab countries because they share the same language and a similar heritage," says Dr Jamal Al Suwaidi, director-general of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research.
"There is a need to preserve UAE's national identity through enhancing national culture and changing the common understanding of the value of work," writes Dr Mohammad Al Asoomi, a UAE economic writer.
Latest news
- Students attend traffic court hearings
- New road widens Jumeirah Lakes Towers access
- Filipino students, groups attend cultural meet
- For this maestro, it's all about the sound
- Experts can't tell old instruments from new
- Sound of violins
- Facilitators: Helping others find joy
- Volunteers remove garbage from Mamzar beach
- Clean-up campaign set to raise awareness
- Sharjah landmarks bathed in light
- Shaikh Mohammad meets South Korea leader
- Get friends on board, zip away with Salik bonus
- Top Arab advocacy group in dire need of aid
- New rules for Abu Dhabi buildings
- In the pursuit of happiness
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
