New
Tanmia report gives voice to UAE Nationals’ work experiences
in the private sector
Posted: 10 May 2004
The real-life accounts of Emiratis help define the challenges
of working in a multi-cultural work environment
The Centre for Labour Market Research and Information, the research
wing of Tanmia, has recently published a new report entitled “Voices
from the Shop Floor” highlighting the experiences of UAE Nationals
employed in a number of organizations in the private sector.
The report assesses the impact of the multi-cultural work environment
on Emirati employees through the eyes of 54 employees – 75
per cent female and 25 per cent male – who are currently employed
in the private sector.
“The objective of this study is to provide an insight into
the way UAE Nationals perceive their work environment in private
sector workplaces,” said Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Awar, Director
General, Tanmia. “It seeks to develop an understanding of
the social and work-environment related barriers facing Emiratis
in realizing their full potential at work.”
“Given the fact that UAE Nationals comprise just about 1
per cent of the workforce in the private sector, the study focuses
on the multi-cultural work environment of the private sector and
the challenges Emiratis face in integrating with the workforce socially
and productivity-wise,” added Dr. Al-Awar.
The research paper explores the realistic, cultural, social and
economic challenges that young Nationals as a minority group typically
encounter in their careers. Social and cultural factors are a major
reason for the resignation of nearly 10% of UAE Nationals especially
among the female workers.
“Voice from the Shop Floor” is important reading for
anyone interested in employment issues in the UAE,” added
Dr. Al-Awar. “It gives a fresh perspective on contemporary
debates on Emiratisation in general and the private sector work
environment in particular, through the eyes of men and women who
have experienced at first hand the challenge of working in a multi-cultural
environment.”
The report is the result of a series of interviews with Emirati
employees, in groups as well as individually, conducted over several
months. The report has produced some startling and bold statements
from Emiratis, especially on the attitude of fellow employees and
bosses, lack of training and career advancement, as well as salaries
and working conditions.
“As Emiratisation in the private sector gathers momentum,
we would like to use the findings to urge the employers to introduce
measures that will ease the entry of Emiratis into their organization,”
said Dr. Al-Awar. “A large number of Nationals are eager and
willing to work hard. They must be given a fair chance and encouraged
to develop their skills. By working towards integrating them into
the workforce, organizations in the private sector are assisting
in providing a further boost to Emiratisation.”
About Tanmia
Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development & Employment
Authority in the UAE, was established by a Presidential decree in
November 1999, to address the imbalance in the labour market, due
to excessive dependence on expatriate workforce.
Tanmia is engaged in a coordinating role, between national job
seekers and employers in the private and government sectors, to
facilitate increased entry of nationals in the labour market.
The responsibilities that rest with the Authority are: to set up
the overall policy of the Authority and supervise its implementation,
conduct sustained operational and administrative labour market studies
and analysis, provide career counseling and guidance to the national
work force, follow-up and evaluate employment of nationals in public
and private sectors, support small investment enterprises through
the establishment of self-employment projects for national human
resources and develop programmes for training and qualifying nationals
seeking employment, in conformity with the labour market needs.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
Information supplied by companies
or PR agencies who are responsible for content. Send press releases
to info@pipelinedubai.com |
