http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/educa ... s-1.918010
"A report put out last month by Going Global says there are twice as many jobs as there are nationals in the UAE," said Al Khatheri. "The challenge is that although Emiratis are only 10 per cent of the population, their unemployment rate is five times higher than that of expatriates."
He added this challenge is worsened by official figures that predict up to 20,000 people are annually set to join the UAE's workforce over the next 10 years.
Al Khatheri quoted 2008 statistics, which state 90 per cent of the UAE's workforce consists of expatriates and the remaining 10 per cent is made up of Emiratis.
However, within the Emirati workforce, 2010 figures show unemployment rates at 13 per cent and among 15- to 24-year-old Emiratis the unemployment rate is 23 per cent. "Emirati unemployment started around 1995 and for the past 15 years it has been growing. And this challenge continues," he said. "The population is increasing and this contributes to an increasing unemployment trend, which creates a complex situation."
How do you factor in 15 to 17 year olds who haven't even completed high school?
Here's the punchline folks!!!! Entitlement is alive and well thriving in the UAE.
The problem lies in the fact that the private sector is unwilling to hire locals. According to a recent survey conducted by YouGovSiraj, nearly 70 per cent of the private sector companies in the UAE are only willing to hire Emiratis if they accept certain conditions.
"The report shows 67 per cent of the private sector will agree to support the Emiratisation programme only if nationals accept equal salaries, are as qualified as expatriates and are willing to work long hours," Al Khatheri said. "[And] the list of ‘ifs' goes on and on."
Yet, he went on to say that "the future of the Emiratis is in the private sector".
The private sector is asking the same of locals as they do expats. Equal salary, qualified as expatriates and - here it comes - work long hours!!! Long hours as in 9 to 6??? And there is an "if" list. Could that be: if you can report to work on time, work a full day, 5 days a week. If you can pull your own weight. If you can carry your own work load. If you have the skills to be a productive employee. If you can adhere to company policies. If you meet the criteria for the position.
How does Dubai expect to get back on its feet and pull itself out of the hole if they want the private sector to meet the demands of the government by giving locals a job for the sake of them having a job? Employ locals who at the drop of a dime head over the the Ruler's Court to report an employer because [fill in the blank for the smallest complaint possible].
I've yet to see, in all the years that the matter of locals being employed by the private sector, blame the locals for their unwillingness to work in the private sector because the private sector is unwilling to create two sets of policies - one for the locals and one for expats. For their "entitlement" mentality. And if you are going to go by the above statement -15-24 year olds, how many companies are going to hire 15-18 year old kids that bring absolutely nothing to the table other than their blackberry (and pretty much goes for the 19-24 year olds)? The government gives homes to the locals, so a housing allowance isn't required. The locals get reduced rates for DEWA and such. Why would they need an airline ticket to go "home" when they are already home?
The future may be in the private sector for locals, but it could also be the downfall to companies in the private sector. Even locals who own companies in the private sector won't hire locals!!!