RELATED: UAE salary guide 2022: how much should you be earning?
Emirati professionals are increasingly turning to the private sector for career progression, driven by government efforts to further develop the UAE labour market for citizens, according to a report by recruitment consultancy Michael Page.
Initiatives such as the Emirati HR Development Council, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in July last year are helping to boost Emirati interest in the private sector, Michael Page's 2022 Emiratisation salary and hiring insights guide found.
Michael Page polled more than 1,400 Emirati professionals last year as it prepared the guide.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, “we saw a huge shift in the market with strong, qualified UAE national candidates receiving multiple offers — this is the busiest the Emiratisation job market has been”, said Samantha Wright, managing consultant for Emiratisation at Michael Page.
“Emiratis are not only looking for attractive salaries and financial benefits when joining a company; they are also looking for learning and career progression and how their work can directly impact business growth.”
The jobs market in the UAE, the second-largest Arab economy, has made a strong recovery from the coronavirus-induced slowdown on the back of the government’s fiscal and monetary measures.
About 76 per cent of UAE employers plan to expand their workforce in 2022, according to a survey in February by jobs portal Bayt.com and market research company YouGov.
What is the salary and employment outlook for Emirati private sector jobseekers this year? Read on to find out.
Are private sector Emirati professionals expecting a salary rise in 2022?
Last month, a survey by recruitment company Hays found that a majority of private sector Emirati employees expect their salaries to increase over the next 12 months (see our slideshow above) as business confidence and hiring activity return to pre-coronavirus levels.
Half of all Emiratis surveyed said they expect an increase in salary, compared with 43 per cent in 2021, while 48 per cent expect their wage to remain the same and 2 per cent expect a decrease, according to the Hays Emiratisation Salary Guide, which polled more than 180 Emiratis in the fourth quarter of 2021.
“This is the first time since running our annual salary survey that we have seen expectations for salary increases outweigh those expecting their salary to remain the same year on year within the Emirati community,” said Grace Eldridge, business manager of Emiratisation at Hays.
“Confidence in the market is at a three-year high, with business activity generally above and beyond pre-pandemic levels in the UAE. As a result, we expect a higher number of salary increases to be awarded this year than in the past two years.”
Will private sector employers increase salaries in 2022?
About 74 per cent of employers in the UAE plan to increase salaries in 2022, compared with 36 per cent in 2021, the Hays report found.
Seventy-nine per cent of UAE employers are positive about the outlook for business in 2022 and 74 per cent expect business activity to increase, up from 54 per cent and 63 per cent last year, respectively, Hays found.
Meanwhile, 32 per cent of Emiratis received a salary increase in 2021. The average increase in pay was between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, according to the Hays salary guide.
Among Emiratis who expect a pay rise this year, the majority expect an increase of 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
“When we refer to pay rises and trends, these are not typically awarded on a companywide basis,” Ms Eldridge said.
We expect a higher number of salary increases to be awarded this year than the past two years
Grace Eldridge,
business manager of the Emiratisation division at Hays
“Instead, pay rises are more commonly offered on an individual basis as a result of a professional either starting a new job with a new company or an individual performance-related pay increase, and we expect the same again this year.”
Benefits packages, salary and career development are the top three factors that attract Emiratis to organisations, according to Hays.
However, 59 per cent of Emiratis said salary was the main reason for switching jobs in 2022.
Work-life balance and time with family are also important to Emiratis, with flexible working options high on their agenda when considering an employer.
Emiratis are likely to stay with the same organisation for more than five years if they receive career development opportunities and a competitive salary, the report said.
What are the most in-demand sectors?
The most sought-after Emirati candidates in the job market are those with industry qualifications and years of experience in both local and international markets, Hays found.
Technology continues to be the most sought-after profession among Emiratis, particularly for roles relating to data science, product development, software development and cyber security, according to Hays.
It is not surprising that we have seen an increase in interest from private sector entities looking to hire or gain knowledge around hiring Emirati talent, the noticeable sectors being IT, technology, HR, finance and investment
Samantha Wright,
managing consultant for Emiratisation at Michael Page
There is also high demand for corporate strategy and leadership roles as organisations look to re-establish and realign their budgets and growth objectives after the pandemic, requiring Emirati candidates with strong commercial and decision-making skills, the consultancy said.
Private sector companies are also looking to hire or gain knowledge about hiring Emirati talent in 2022, Ms Wright of Michael Page said.
“It is not surprising that we have seen an increase in interest from private sector entities looking to hire or gain knowledge around hiring Emirati talent, the noticeable sectors being IT, technology, HR, finance and investment,” she said.
“Emiratisation is one of the key discussions we are having with private sector clients in the UAE, especially within the banking sector, given the increased Emiratisation quota in this sector, initiated early in 2021.”
What are the highest paying jobs for Emiratis in the private sector?
- Human resources: chief human resources officer — Dh70,000-Dh105,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh60,000-Dh95,000 (Dubai) per month
- Marketing: chief marketing officer — Dh65,000-Dh95,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh58,000-Dh92,000 (Dubai)
- Procurement: chief procurement officer — Dh105,000-Dh125,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh90,000-Dh105,000 (Dubai)
- Legal: chief legal counsel — Dh80,000-Dh120,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh72,000-Dh112,000 (Dubai)
- Office support: office manager — Dh25,000-Dh40,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh20,000-Dh35,000 (Dubai)
- Technology: chief technology officer — Dh75,000-Dh150,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh70,000-Dh140,000 (Dubai)
What are the highest paying jobs for Emiratis in the public sector?
- Human resources: chief human resources officer — Dh92,000-Dh170,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh70,000-Dh105,000 (Dubai) per month
- Marketing: chief marketing officer — Dh95,000-Dh145,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh70,000-Dh105,000 (Dubai)
- Procurement: chief procurement officer — Dh120,000-Dh140,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh110,000-Dh120,000 (Dubai)
- Legal: chief legal counsel — Dh85,000-Dh145,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh75,000-Dh95,000 (Dubai)
- Office support: office manager — Dh30,000-Dh65,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh27,000-Dh37,000 (Dubai)
- Technology: chief technology officer — Dh75,000-Dh150,000 (Abu Dhabi); Dh70,000-Dh140,000 (Dubai)
SHAITTAN
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
SPECS
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
SQUADS
Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed
Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
RIVER%20SPIRIT
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
LIVERPOOL%20TOP%20SCORERS
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