UAE: Almost 74 percent of UAE employers expect to raise salaries within their organizations. A new survey released on Tuesday by global recruiting firm Hays finds that 70 percent of employers anticipate hiring more staff in 2022.
The majority of respondents in a survey of UAE workers said their salaries increased last year, mostly less than 5 percent. However, 46 percent expect their salaries to increase this year.
Among the results of the survey, 43 percent of the companies in the UAE provide company or car allowances, 49 percent provide flexible working arrangements, 37 percent offer child education allowances, and 53 percent offer life insurance.
Based on the survey results, 42 percent of UAE employers do not offer work-from-home opportunities to their employees.
Over 43 percent of professionals in the Gulf region were paid more in 2021, while 49 percent of salaries remained unchanged.
GCC employers predict salary increases of 73 percent for 2022, while 26 percent anticipate wage stagnation.
In our experience, salaries have steadily risen year over year, and this trend is expected to continue into 2022, as a proportionately higher number of pay increases is expected than in the past three years. "A common increase could be as much as 5 percent," Hays said in its latest study.
UAE, GCC jobs in high demand
Those with years of experience in both domestic and international markets are the most in-demand candidates on the job market, according to Hays. In terms of job demand, technology continues to dominate, especially roles in data science, product development, software development, and cyber security.
According to the report, experienced and qualified senior candidates are in higher demand than less experienced candidates. After the pandemic, this has been compounded since many employers have successfully reorganized and are now actively seeking senior leaders with the expertise and skills to meet business goals.
In the study, the Gulf's job market for 2022 was found to be optimistic, as 61 percent of respondents expressed optimism regarding their career prospects in the next year and 78 percent of employers expressed optimism about their business prospects. Employers intend to hire more people for the foreseeable future, with 73 percent planning to do so, up significantly from the 53 percent who said the same two years earlier - a further indication that business activity is predicted to surpass pre-pandemic levels.
More than half of UAE employees look forward to switching jobs in the next year, Hays said.
According to Hays Middle East managing director Sarah Dixon, "The Great Resignation" will definitely hit the UAE and the GCC this year, with 56 percent of UAE and GCC candidates indicating that they will change jobs in the next 12 months.
Among professionals (61 percent), salary has been identified as a key motivator for change, as well as an optimistic outlook when it comes to their career prospects in 2022, which makes sense considering the amount of additional staff that organizations plan to hire over the next year. “As demand increases, candidates will have more options,” Dixon said.