Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been voted among the best global cities to work, according to Decoding Global Talent, Onsite and Virtual joint report by the Boston Consulting Group and Bayt.com.
The study that surveyed close to 209,000 people in 190 countries ranked Dubai in the third place, up from the sixth position in 2018. Respondents’ confidence in Dubai was buoyed by the Expo 2021 potential as well as the quick bouncing back of the economy and support of the private sector.
Abu Dhabi retained last year’s fifth place in light of the government's commitment to overhaul its processes, people’s access to leadership, high government investment, and a new economic development strategy.
Around 90 per cent of the UAE’s survey participants were expatriates with an average age of 38, reflecting the composition of the country’s population.
In the same survey, The UAE as a country has been ranked as the 13th most preferred destination to work worldwide.
The principal motivation for people to choose the United Arab Emirates as a safe destination to work has been its proactive and effective response to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the study.
The UAE has administered more than 6.5 million (m) Covid-19 vaccine doses till Saturday (March 13) and is poised to reach its target of 50 per cent of the country’s population soon.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Christopher Daniel, managing director (MD) and partner, BCG Middle East said, “The UAE’s status as being less impacted by the pandemic than other countries is a key factor behind its heightened appeal on the world stage, with several notable cities considered much less appealing compared to two years ago.”
“Given that the national workforce is heavily comprised of foreign workers, the country attracts a highly mobile workforce and 94 per cent of UAE workers were also willing to work abroad in 2020 compared to 50 per cent globally,” added Dr Daniel.
Clearly demonstrating eagerness to stay home while working for a foreign employer, 57 percent of global respondents and 50 percent of Emirati nationals indicated they wouldn’t be willing to move for work.
“The job market has witnessed many changes over the past few months. The Covid-19 pandemic has placed companies in every industry under pressure to make the transition to virtual workplaces. As such, the vast majority of professionals and businesses have adopted remote working, enabling them to remain competitive and ensure continuity,” said Ola Haddad, director of Human Resources at Bayt.com.
The US lost the traditionally accepted top spot as a work destination to Canada who is now the first choice of foreign workers, according to the survey.