One learner was at the Sharjah International Book Fair last month, working as an interpreter; she also hosted an Arabic podcast about SIBF
uae1 day ago
Hiring in the UAE is set to pick up next year due to business growth as well as more clarity after the elections in the US and India.
According to the 2025 Salary Guide released by Robert Half, more than three in five of UAE business leaders – or 63 per cent – expect their overall headcount to increase in the next 12 months, with half agreeing that they need to hire more people due to growth.
After a year of elections in several countries that saw many employers hold fire on hiring, Robert Half expects a busy start to 2025. “A third of business leaders say they were waiting to hire until the outcomes were known, while a similar proportion – 32 per cent – are waiting on interest rates to stabilise or decrease before making hiring decisions,” said the report released on Tuesday.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
This year is marked as a year of elections as many major countries, including the US and India, held polls, prompting many big companies to put their expansion plans and recruitment on hold to get a clearer picture of winners.
Nearly seven out of 10 of business leaders – or 67 per cent – are confident about their organisations' growth prospects in 2025.
While employers are finding it easier to hire today compared to 12 months ago, Robert Half said many of the available candidates have recently relocated to the UAE and lack in-market experience, so it is also important for businesses to retain the talent they already have in the company.
However, nearly half of business leaders – or 47 per cent – say that although it is easier to find workers, it is not easy to find candidates with the right skills, according to recruitment consultancy Robert Half’s 2025 Salary Guide.
The Robert Half study revealed that two-thirds – 65 per cent – will look for a new job before the end of 2025, with 30 per cent of those citing the rising cost of living as a key driver for their move.
With the UAE continuing to experience high inflation, one-third of employees – 34 per cent –agree that they need a higher salary to meet their obligations. The decline in salaries and oversupply of expat talent is undermining in-role salary growth, with three-quarters – 75 per cent – agreeing that it is harder to negotiate a pay rise today compared to 12 months ago.
“If the market shifts, these employees will be among the first to jump ship, leaving employers without the talent they need,” said the report.
Gareth El Mettouri, director for Middle East at Robert Half, said that although the influx of expats has made it easier and cheaper for businesses to hire, leaders should be mindful of the impact this could have on their existing employees.
“Unable to secure pay rises in both their existing roles or new roles, many employees feel trapped, which impacts job satisfaction and productivity. If employers do not take steps to look after their best talent, they will move on as soon as the market shifts," he added.
"Employers should also remember that although there is a very loose market for newcomer talent, they may still struggle to find employees with the right skill sets, especially if they require Arabic speakers or previous UAE experience. Starting salaries may be declining slightly in some instances, but to attract those already living and working in the country, the remuneration component of job offers will need to be competitive,” added El Mettouri.
ALSO READ:
One learner was at the Sharjah International Book Fair last month, working as an interpreter; she also hosted an Arabic podcast about SIBF
uae1 day ago
'What drew me to this study was the realisation that no comprehensive fieldwork had been conducted in this area,' he said
uae1 day ago
Many residents in the UAE stressed that maintaining these regular bedtime routines can be difficult as professional lives can often be quite demanding
uae1 day ago
The UAE reaffirmed its consistent rejection of all forms of violence targeting civilians and undermining security and stability
uae1 day ago
This addition reflects the commitment to adopting innovative solutions to strengthen security coverage, enable swift responses to emergencies
uae1 day ago
The website now boasts a database of 800 small businesses, adding 100 new brands every month
uae1 day ago
The SheforShe mentorship programme addresses these challenges by pairing selected trainees with top female real estate professionals in the region
uae1 day ago
Shop-and-win draws have evolved through the years, becoming more accessible to many who dream of being the next lucky winner
uae1 day ago