UAE PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED ABOUT JOB SITUATION

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, April 28 (Bernama) -- A recent poll of more than 10,000 professionals
in the Middle East has revealed that 65 per cent of respondents worry about job
security.

Conducted online between March 17 and April 6 by the Middle East's top job
site Bayt.com, in conjunction with research specialists YouGov, the 'Job
Situation in the Recession' survey was done to understand how the current
recession was affecting people professionally and financially.

Data showed that professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were the
most concerned about the job situation with 74 per cent citing some level of
concern, of which 23 per cent considered themselves very worried.

Around the rest of the Gulf region, the majority were also concerned,
including 67 per cent of Kuwait's respondents, 62 per cent in Qatar and 61 per
cent of respondents in Saudi Arabia.

The poll pointed to job cuts being widespread around the Middle East, with
43 per cent stating there had been redundancies in their place of work.

The UAE was the hardest hit, with more than half -- 57 per cent of
professionals stating that there had been job losses in their workplace.

This was followed by Kuwait and Morocco at 50 per cent and 48 per cent,
respectively.

In comments made available here, Bayt.com regional manager Amer Zureikat
said: "This type of research points to the extent of the problem on a grassroots
level -- in terms of the people who are most directly affected.

"It'll help human resources stakeholders and other industry professionals
to take stock of the fact that professionals understand it is a difficult time,
and may plan on taking pre-emptive action to ensure the safety and security of
their job and financial situation."
-- BERNAMA