Emiratisation: Recruiters now have better understanding on what they need to do to increase their Emirati intake

Source: Private companies tweak policies to attract Emiratis

Sharjah: Emirati youth looking for jobs at the 19th National Career Exhibition indicated that though they still nurture a preference for working in the government sector, they could consider the private sector if they are offered better pay and flexible working hours.
On the other hand, recruiters from non-governmental companies are now better at understanding what they can do to attract UAE nationals. For example, a few companies have worked on creating a ‘Emirati working-hours’ policy, reducing working days to five a week, and introducing better pay and development opportunities for Emiratis. But the challenge of retaining Emirati employees still remains, recruiters said.
The annual National Career Exhibition, one of UAE’s largest employment events, a three-day event, was inaugurated on Wednesday by Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and has attracted more than 70 leading government and private entities seeking to hire Emirati graduates and professionals.
A majority of Emirati jobseekers professed to being drawn by the appeal of shorter working hours, holiday entitlement and guaranteed retirement benefits offered by the public sector. Fahd Al Mail, 26, who has a degree in International Affairs, told Gulf News, “Working with the private sector requires more effort and patience [due to the longer working hours]. If they are ready to offer flexible working hours, by letting us leave when we are done with the work for the day, I think I would consider a job with them.”
Rashid Bu Melha, 23, also a graduate in International Affairs, said, “I do understand the need for having nationals working in the private sector, but we can always get better pay in the public sector. It would be disappointing if I worked in a private company for many years and earned a lower salary than a fresh graduate working in a government job.”