Published: 29/12/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)
The facts speak for themselves
Gulf News
gulfnews.com
The Dubai Statistics Centre has confirmed what many people suspected for some time, but could not prove. But thanks to the Dubai Labour Force Characteristics Survey 2006, official confirmation has been published on a wide range of subjects, from unemployment to salaries paid. The Centre must be thanked for producing the information, which will help in determining the direction the emirate is going and the policies the government may either introduce or amend, if necessary.
Chief among its findings is the alarming statistic that 54.8 per cent of the employed population in Dubai earn less that Dh3,000 (~$800) a month. Furthermore, contrary to widely held beliefs, less than 5 per cent of the employed population earn more than Dh20,000 ($5,400) a month; with only 30 per cent earning between Dh3,000 and Dh10,000 (~$800 - $5,400) a month (a wide salary band), it is more than indicative that many employed will be finding it hard to manage on their salaries. Add to this statistic today's published web poll result regarding the percentage of salary paid on rent, then the whole picture rapidly comes into focus.
Much of the blame for low salaries must be laid at the door of private sector employers who tend to look for the cheapest labour to keep overhead costs down, so as to be competitive. However, included in the statistics is the shocking figure that only one in five persons have medical coverage, despite it being obligatory for employers to provide for their workers.
The emirate of Dubai - as indeed, the whole UAE - is expanding in many areas, not least the employment sector. For the UAE to maintain its image of being not only a good place in which to live, but also work, the private sector must reassess its pay scales to be more aware of the expenditure involved and recompense its workers appropriately.
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