Question from Job Seeker:
I’m a 27 year old teacher and I recently started my job search in the UAE after my husband received a very good offer there. However, being a foreigner, I’m a bit worried as I don’t know much about the situation of working women in the UAE or in the Middle East. Could you please help me understand and assess the working conditions of women in the Middle East, the benefits they receive, their chances of promotion etc., for me to better know what to expect?
Answer from Bayt HR Guru:
Congratulations on your husband’s job offer! We at Bayt.com tell you to worry not as the UAE seems to be a favourite work destination for men and women alike, attracting top talent from across the region and the globe. According to our “Best Cities of the Middle East and North Africa 2010” research last year that surveyed the top cities in the MENA according to economic factors, labor rights, environmental factors, everyday life factors and socio-cultural factors, Abu Dhabi ranked first, Dubai third and Sharjah sixth among the top 10 cities taking all factors into account.
Women from across the world have chosen to live and work in the UAE and thrive in the dynamic cosmopolitan environment and world-class business culture. Many top corporations have women in their senior most ranks and professional women have made and continue to make their mark in the UAE across industries, career levels and job roles.
Now if you’re still wondering about the general current situation of working women in the Middle East, we are glad to tell you that we have some timely answers to many of your questions as per our latest “Women in the Middle East workplace – 2011” survey gauging the perceptions and attitudes of working women on their role and experience at their work environment.
Working conditions: According to the survey results, while 63% of working women feel they work almost an equal number of hours as their male colleagues, 31% of them feel they are less paid. Even though there are some perceptions of lower pay, 68% of women feel they are treated equally to men at work and only 15% think they are treated unfairly compared to their male colleagues.
Top sectors: This must be your lucky day! According to Bayt.com’s latest “Women in the Middle East workplace – 2011” survey, the education sector is seen to be the best at attracting and retaining female employees (49%), followed by banking and finance (36%), medical and health services (35%) and the government and civil service (35%).
Recognition and Appreciation: With regards to the system of recognition and appreciation of employees, “Women in the Middle East workplace – 2011” survey showed that 57% feel that employees are rewarded based on performance alone and not on gender.
Benefits: Survey showed that the top benefits offered to working women are paid maternity leave according to 42% of working women in the region, family health insurance at 32% and training at 26% coming to the conclusion that women in government/semi government roles or internationally owned companies are better off with less chance that none of these benefits are offered. When it comes to maternity leave, 27% of working women are not satisfied with the maternity leave and benefits available to them, with 25% stating they get a maternity leave period of three months or less.
Work challenges: According to the same survey, regional working women claim the work challenges they face most are a more stressful and demanding work environment (38%), less opportunities for promotions (37%), a lack of flexible work timings (30%) and insufficient job training and coaching (30%).
Future prospects for working women in the Middle East: While 23% felt that prospects for women had substantially improved in their country of residence, Bayt.com’s “Women in the Middle East workplace – 2011” survey showed that 35% of working women believe their chances of career growth will entirely depend on their hard work and performance on the job and not on their gender.
