Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Private sector employees say a salary increase is the need of the hour in light of the current inflation.
Haris Mohammad, an Indian salesman, said there must be a mechanism to ensure that the salaries of private sector employees are increased in accordance with living costs, which are deteriorating due to a spiralling price increase.
"It is not only about the material quality of life but more importantly it is a matter of dignity ... a regulated mechanism in the private sector is the need of the hour," he said.
Marwan Sayed, 45, a Lebanese Manager, said that private sector salaries must also increase.
"Increasing living costs affect both government and private sector employees alike, therefore a reasonable increment for private sector employees is a must under today's conditions," he said.
Hothaifa Al Khayat, an assistant engineer, who has received an increment of Dh1,500 six months ago, said the rocketing prices have made the recent salary increase seem irrelevant.
"I have been struggling to make ends meet especially after I got my first child eleven months back, but I feel that with the recent increase in the public sector life will get more expensive and low income families will suffer," he said.
Increments
Qamar Al Khalifa, an Emirati VIP Clinic Supervisor said that the increase in the private sector was important but after the recent increment in the public sector, the raise is now essential.
"Private companies should review their salary structure and give us a higher increment as we have reached a point were we are totally demoralised and we do not earn what we deserve," she said.
Benny Varghese, an Indian employee relations manager, said getting a higher salary is pleasant news for anyone, especially at the time of high inflation and low money value.
"However, I am worried that the recent increase will result in a further financial imbalance in society which may affect common people. Living conditions of low income groups may become worse."
Your comments
Yes, I do agree with above statement and please note the workload in the private sector is more than in the Government and we work for six days while Government sector works for five days. In all ways private sector should be given more salary for sure.
Karthikeyan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2007, 08:58
Private employees who work 48 hrs a week and get low salary compared to govt. employees who work only 35 hrs a week. In fact, the price of many items increased sharply on Wednesday and we want to know the reaction of the govt. on this.
Saqeer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2007, 08:56
Recent salary increase for Govt. employees is good news for them. It indeed shows the concern by govt. authorities for their staff. What about private sector employees who are hit from all the sides on their monetary budget? Rent for houses alone is a major issue which should be taken care by Govt. It is not in the control of employees or private entrepreneurs
Yagnik
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2007, 08:56
As in many other things in the UAE, government employees receive regular increases while nobody really seems to care about private sector employees. When will people realise that it is the people working in the private sector who are the motor to the strong economic development in this country?
As everywhere else in the world there must be a rule implemented that is guaranteeing employees an annual increase that covers at least the inflation..
Karl
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 22, 2007, 08:50
