The increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE has encouraged hotels in the Emirates to recruit more staff from China.
Thousands have been hired in a range of roles, including in housekeeping and behind-the-scenes jobs where they do not interact with guests. But many are hired for roles where their background is crucial, such as in Chinese restaurants at hotels.
As learning English becomes increasingly popular in China, hotels say it is now easier to find staff with the requisite language skills. Advertisements in Chinese currently offer positions in UAE hotels including laundry attendants, waiters and waitresses, guest service officers and assistant chefs.
Applicants can be male or female and must be 18 to 25 with a college degree. As well as being "groomed, friendly and with good personal qualities", they should ideally have hotel experience. English-language skills are a must. Other jobs, with monthly salaries of Dh3,000 (US$816), are advertised for applicants in the 20-30 age range.
Conditions typically involve a six-day week, working for nine hours a day, with 30 days' paid leave for every 12 months of service. Accommodation, uniforms, visa and other costs are covered by the employer. Other types of work in the UAE, including in the retail sector, are also regularly advertised to Chinese people. However, in some cases applicants may be expected to stump up fees of 15,000 yuan (Dh8,477), 3,000 yuan of which will be returned at the completion of a two-year contract. Tour companies are also recruiting Dubai-based guides to look after groups of Chinese tourists in the UAE. Salaries range from 8,000 to 12,000 yuan a month.
