The highest number of Indian job seekers select the UAE as their destination for employment. AFP
The highest number of Indian job seekers select the UAE as their destination for employment. AFP
The highest number of Indian job seekers select the UAE as their destination for employment. AFP
The highest number of Indian job seekers select the UAE as their destination for employment. AFP

UAE is top destination for Indian job seekers, minister says


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The UAE is the leading destination for Indians hunting for jobs overseas.

India’s External Affairs Ministry has released a list of the top five countries to which the highest number of workers and professionals travel for employment.

The UAE is ranked first, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US and Oman.

This information relates to data from 2016 to 2021 and was presented to the lower house of India's Parliament by V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs. Detailed figures were not available.

The upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai is set to make the Emirates an even more attractive proposition for those in search of a career path in the country.

Applications have been flooding in from around the globe for positions at the world fair, with applicants vying for operations, planning and communication roles at pavilions and across the site.

Some jobs are to begin as soon as the start of next month, while others will start a week before the doors to the Dubai South site open in October.

Recruitment experts and diplomats have said they are looking for people who can engage with visitors from around the globe.

Jobs at Expo 2020 Dubai:

  • Want a job at Expo 2020? Here's a guide to 10 roles in the country pavilions, with estimated salaries. All figures are from recruiters and most roles listed are working for governments and countries, not with the Dubai Expo authority itself. Acrobats and musicians are usually freelance, and charge by event. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Want a job at Expo 2020? Here's a guide to 10 roles in the country pavilions, with estimated salaries. All figures are from recruiters and most roles listed are working for governments and countries, not with the Dubai Expo authority itself. Acrobats and musicians are usually freelance, and charge by event. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • 1. Tour guides - Dh8,000 - Dh12,000. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Courtesy: Expo 2020
    1. Tour guides - Dh8,000 - Dh12,000. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Courtesy: Expo 2020
  • 2. Pavilion operation manager - Dh15,000 - Dh25,000 (depends on the size of the pavilion). Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Chris Whiteoak / The National
    2. Pavilion operation manager - Dh15,000 - Dh25,000 (depends on the size of the pavilion). Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • 3. Receptionist and lounge staff - Dh6,000 plus accommodation. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Pawan Singh / The National
    3. Receptionist and lounge staff - Dh6,000 plus accommodation. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Pawan Singh / The National
  • 4. Media officer - Dh10,000 - Dh15,000. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Getty Images
    4. Media officer - Dh10,000 - Dh15,000. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Getty Images
  • 5. Protocol and events officer - Dh15,000 - Dh20,000. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Pawan Singh / The National
    5. Protocol and events officer - Dh15,000 - Dh20,000. Expo 2020 Dubai jobs & salary guide (salaries are estimated and per month). Pawan Singh / The National
  • 6. Housekeeping manager - Dh15,000 - Dh30,000 - depends on the size of the pavilion - some have 300 cleaners (salaries are estimated and per month). Victor Besa/The National
    6. Housekeeping manager - Dh15,000 - Dh30,000 - depends on the size of the pavilion - some have 300 cleaners (salaries are estimated and per month). Victor Besa/The National
  • 7. Hospitality - Dh2,000 plus accommodation (salaries are estimated and per month). Silvia Razgova / The National
    7. Hospitality - Dh2,000 plus accommodation (salaries are estimated and per month). Silvia Razgova / The National
  • 8. Events chef - Dh18,000 - Dh25,000 (salaries are estimated and per month). Courtesy: Luxembourg Expo 2020 Dubai
    8. Events chef - Dh18,000 - Dh25,000 (salaries are estimated and per month). Courtesy: Luxembourg Expo 2020 Dubai
  • 9. Events manager - Dh15,000 - Dh25,000 (salaries are estimated and per month). Alamy Stock Photo
    9. Events manager - Dh15,000 - Dh25,000 (salaries are estimated and per month). Alamy Stock Photo
  • 10. Acrobats, stage performers and musicians - freelance and paid per event, depending on skill level and success. Leslie Pableo for The National
    10. Acrobats, stage performers and musicians - freelance and paid per event, depending on skill level and success. Leslie Pableo for The National

The Indian expatriate community of more than 3.4 million is the largest in the UAE, with the biggest numbers from Kerala in southern India

The minister was responding to a question about measures taken by the Indian government to assist new job seekers, particularly young people who fall prey to illegal agents in India.

Consular and embassy officials have repeatedly appealed to workers to use eMigrate, an online portal with details of the registered recruiting agents approved by the Indian government.

Although India's government has warned strict action would be taken against agents involved in illegal recruitment within states in India, there have been cases of workers duped into paying large sums of money for low-pay jobs.

Updated: July 31, 2021, 1:08 PM