The unemployment rate has been on the rise in the United Arabs Emirates for the last five decades. According to recent statistics, the current rate of unemployment stands at 13.5 % and the figure is expected to continue rising if appropriate measures are not taken to deal with the situation (Katzman 35). It is estimated that 38% of the UAE nationals within the working age have no jobs. The major concern about unemployment situation is that almost 30% of University graduates still remain unemployed (Katzman 35).
The policymakers in the UAE have a very serious problem to deal with if they intend to avoid potential social issues. The youth are the most affected by the unemployment problem with statistics indicating that almost 12% of the Emirati youths are jobless (Gonzalez 112). This paper will highlight some of the main reasons for unemployment in the UAE and what should be done to deal with the crisis.
The education system in the UAE does not prepare students well for the job market (Gonzalez 112). Students find it difficult to adapt to the work environment because their training is inadequate. A good number of young people in the UAE were surveyed and most of them confessed that they were not prepared to cope with the work requirements especially those to do with communication.
English and Arabic are the major languages in the UAE and almost 58% of graduates can not communicate effectively in either of the two languages (Gonzalez 112). Communication problems are a major factor in the unemployment situation in the UAE. Colleges and universities in the UAE have failed in their role of equipping students with the relevant practical skills that are needed in the job market (Uz Zaman 67). The training offered to students with institutions of higher learning leaves them with limited career options.
The unemployment rate in UAE is very high because of an influx of foreign expatriates who take the majority of employment opportunities in the country (Uz Zaman 69).
A survey conducted in 2008 indicated that almost of 70% of the jobs in the UAE are occupied by foreign expatriates (Gonzalez 137). The UAE government does not have elaborate plans to create employment opportunities for the local people. A research conducted in 2008 indicated that the unemployment rate of expatriates was almost five times lower than that of locals (Gonzalez 138).
Foreign expatriates are therefore another factor in the current unemployment crisis in the UAE. The third reason for the high unemployment rate in the UAE is the failure by the UAE government to come with policies and strategies aimed at creating employment for its people (Al Abed 89). It is the responsibility of any government to create employment opportunities for its people by building more industries and providing the right environment for the private sector to create more jobs for the locals (Al Abed 89).
In conclusion, the high unemployment rate in the UAE is a result of poor training, the influx of foreign expatriates and government failure to create more jobs for the locals (Katzman 35). This information is very important for the UAE government because it can use it to come up with the right training and employment policies aimed at ending this crisis.
The curriculum in colleges and universities should be revised to incorporate practical training that is relevant to the job market (Katzman 39). Future government policies should aim at creating more employment opportunities for the local people. The UAE government should give locals the first priority when it comes to hiring as a way of reducing the gap between the employment rates for expatriates and locals (Al Abed 96). Quality training programs promote economic growth because of increased productivity.
Works Cited
Al Abed, Ibrahim. United Arabs Emirates Yearbook 2006. London: Trident Press Ltd., 2006. Print.
Gonzalez, Gabriella. Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor. London: Rand Corporation, 2009. Print.
Katzman, Kenneth. United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S Policy. New York: Diane Publishing, 2010. Print.
Uz Zaman, Nadeem. Uae and Globalization-Attracting Foreign Investments. London: GRIN Verlag, 2011. Print.