Massive layoffs expected in UAE
Friday, 26 December 2008
DUBAI, Dec 25 (AFP): Up to 45 per cent of the construction workforce in the United Arab Emirates could be laid off, with thousands already having lost their jobs due to the global financial crisis, a report said yesterday.
The Khaleej Times newspaper quoted Khalfan Al-Kaabi, a member of the board of directors at Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, as saying the job cuts would occur in the new year if private sector projects in the UAE are delayed or cancelled.
"It is only but natural for the industry to cut those jobs," Al-Kaabi told the paper.
The report said that thousands of workers have applied to the ministry of labour to finalise the termination of their contracts. The ministry said it is quickly processing those applications to enable the workers to look for new jobs.
In the UAE taking a new job is only possible when the old contract is terminated.
The Khaleej Times newspaper quoted Khalfan Al-Kaabi, a member of the board of directors at Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, as saying the job cuts would occur in the new year if private sector projects in the UAE are delayed or cancelled.
"It is only but natural for the industry to cut those jobs," Al-Kaabi told the paper.
The report said that thousands of workers have applied to the ministry of labour to finalise the termination of their contracts. The ministry said it is quickly processing those applications to enable the workers to look for new jobs.
In the UAE taking a new job is only possible when the old contract is terminated.