‘Don’t look at the passport’: UAE employers warned not to prize nationality over skills when hiring

Company bosses risking penalties and jail with discriminatory job adverts

Job interview with candidate in modern office

Many companies still prioritise a candidate’s nationality over skillset – despite the threat of prosecution under anti-discrimination laws, recruiters said.

Several leading agencies told The National they had stopped working with employers who insist on hiring specific nationalities or genders.

The UAE has anti-discrimination and anti-hate speech laws with penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dirhams.

Companies could also fall foul of cybercrime laws that govern offensive content online.

“Sadly, discrimination in recruitment is a very real issue – and it’s usually because of personal bias or stereotypes of the hiring managers,” said Nevin Lewis, chief executive of Black and Grey, which recruits candidates for white-collar jobs.

He said even with laws in place, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the company has diversity.

Mr Lewis suggested that business leaders implement anti-discrimination recruitment policies and bring in a code of ethics to objectively hire top talent.

“UAE leadership has already emphasised tolerance and this should play a significant role in promoting equality within the workplace in the years to come,” Mr Lewis said.

The problem appears to persist across the job market, from low-pay unskilled work to professional roles.

Before changes to the law and to societal attitudes, adverts that were discriminatory were once common in some print outlets and on major job websites, with many seeking "only western expats", "attractive candidates" or "no head scarf".

Today, as major sites delete or bar such ads, they are largely restricted to WhatsApp groups and social media.

Speaking to The National previously, Dr Omar Al Nuaimi, assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said that "prejudicial discrimination has no place in the conditions of employment, nor in wider UAE society".

David Mackenzie, head of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East, said his firm had stopped working with employers who insist on a certain nationality or gender.

“Don’t look at the passport, look at the individual,” Mr Mackenzie said.

Some job adverts ask for females with no head scarf. Screenshot

“To make the UAE economy stronger, we need to hire very good people and those people don't necessarily come with a specific passport.

"You have to hire on attitude and skill rather than sex and nationality.

“If we don't do that, then we're never going to move the economy further forward. It's the same way of not having women on seats and boards – you need to have equality so you get diversity.”

There is a jail sentence of up to 10 years and fines of up to Dh2 million against employers who break the Anti-Discrimination Law, passed in 2015.

Article 13 of the law states that any person or group that manages an organisation that offends religion, or provokes discrimination or hate speech, will be held accountable.

A discriminatory job advert circulating on WhatsApp. Screenshot

After the huge disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the labour market in the UAE is slowly recovering.

Jobseekers are imploring employers to look at their skills and not at their passport, gender or age, as they try to find employment in these uncertain times.

Faisal Gul is a Pakistani engineer who has been searching for work in Dubai for nearly a year.

“I’ve given so many interviews, but I notice that it’s mostly the same race as the hiring manager that gets hired for the role,” said Mr Gul, who has a degree in electrical engineering and two years of workplace experience in his home country.

“Even if I do get hired, I’m worried my salary would be much less than some of the other nationalities.”

Our guide to 14 job sectors in the pandemic

TEACHER/LECTURER: The average salary in UAE is Dh9,000 with lows of Dh4,000 and highs of Dh21,000. Headteachers earn an average of Dh46,000 with highs of Dh75,000. University staff are typically well paid, with assistant professors and full lecturers earning between Dh20,000 and Dh40,000. AFP

FLIGHT CREW: Salaries for cabin crew and aircraft technicians range from Dh6,000 to Dh23,000. Pilots can usually secure between Dh20,000 to Dh60,000, depending on experience. EPA

FOOD AND DRINK: The average salary for a bartender, waiter or supervisor is Dh4,000 to Dh5,000, rising to Dh7,500 to Dh8,500 for managers. Chefs and head chefs can expect to take home between Dh6,000 to Dh38,000. Hotels often provide staff accommodation. Hollie Adams / Getty Images

ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING: A flooded market with basic accountants often earning Dh5,000 to Dh10,000. Senior auditors can earn Dh30,000 or more. Accountants who move into finance and management can expect significantly higher salaries. Getty Images

CONSTRUCTION: Engineering jobs have been hit hard by a downturn in the sector, but it remains a skilled and respected profession. Junior salaries for site inspectors and engineers begin at a few thousand dirhams, rising to Dh45,000 or more for construction managers. Gulf Talent says salaries in Saudi are higher than the UAE in some roles. Sammy Dallal / The National

NURSES: The true heroes of the pandemic, these professionals worked around the clock to treat patients and save lives. Salaries range between Dh4,000 to Dh14,500 and can be higher for senior nurses in higher-end private hospitals. AFP

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Health and safety has become a key priority. Junior roles in this sector can take home, on average, about Dh5,500 a month. That rises to Dh22,500 for managerial positions. Victor Besa / The National

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR: Non-medical staff are currently in demand as the role of managing patients, their documents, payment and test results is increasingly crucial. Salaries vary but can be in the same region as nurses. Reem Mohammed / The National

CYBERSECURITY: The threat posed by cybercrime has never been more real, with the sale of financial assets, documents and medical records a lucrative business. Systems analysts and software engineers can earn Dh25,000 or more, rising significantly for those with high-end cybersecurity experience. Unsplash

HR, MARKETING AND FINANCE: Senior roles in these managerial classes vary significantly, but are generally well paid and often come with performance-related bonuses. Gulf Talent lists HR manager and HR business partner salaries at up to Dh42,500. An HR director of a major firm can earn twice that. Getty Images

SALES AND MERCHANDISING: As the economy slowly picks up, the retail sector will be looking to fill key roles again soon. Gulf Talent lists sales staff salaries from Dh1,500 to Dh3,500. A sales merchandiser can take home twice that each month. Paulo Vecina / The National

HOTELS: A duty manager at a hotel can earn anywhere from Dh6,000 to Dh26,000 per month. Front of house staff, including concierge, can take take home between Dh1,500 to Dh9,000. Staff accommodation is typically provided. Sarah Dea / The National

LEGAL: Lawyers and legal advisors can earn between Dh7,500 to Dh37,500. That rises to more than Dh53,000 for legal counsel positions, though the average sits at about Dh20,500. Jeff Topping / The National

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION: Jobseekers for secretarial and receptionist roles can expect salaries ranging from Dh2,500 to Dh8,000. Personal assistants and office managers fare better, from Dh4,500 up to Dh22,500 for higher-end firms. Getty Images