UAE companies are hiring remote workers to reduce labor cost

Companies in the UAE are increasingly leveraging remote workers from abroad to enhance cost-efficiency and drive profitability. Recruitment experts observe a surge in hiring remote talent primarily from Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa.

According to Hays’ GCC Salary Guide for 2024, 87% of UAE companies plan to recruit permanent employees this year. Additionally, 19% intend to hire temporary contract workers, while 16% are looking to engage freelancers.

Nicki Wilson, Genie consultancy’s managing director, underscores the strategy of forming remote teams in regions with lower wage structures. Sectors like sales, technology, data, and performance marketing are embracing remote work setups.

“There’re a lot of companies out there that will help you set up an entire remote working team in places where salaries are less than the UAE and train them. Most companies might consider this model as a cheaper alternative in the long run. I have seen this with recruitment agencies, technology companies, and fields related to customer service a lot,”

Mayank Patel from Adecco Middle East notes a shift in workplace dynamics, with some companies opting for fully remote roles while others prefer hybrid models. He said,

“In either case, companies prefer their employees to come to the office for certain days of the week while also maintaining work-life balance with hybrid working policy,”

Foreign professionals can apply for remote work visas through the GDRFA. Hiring remote workers can yield substantial savings, ranging from 50-75% in salaries, as highlighted by Wilson.

Patel emphasizes the significance of training and quality control to uphold business reputation. Remote work’s salary scales are determined by job scope and candidate expertise, Patel adds, particularly for niche roles requiring high technical proficiency. The trend towards remote work signals a broader transformation in workplace dynamics, driven by technological advancements and evolving employee preferences.

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