UAE Firms Employing Overseas Remote Workers to Cut Expenses

To cut expenses and boost profitability, numerous companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are recruiting remote workers from abroad.

Recruitment consultants in the UAE note that companies predominantly hire remote workers from Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa.

According to the Hays’ GCC Salary Guide for 2024, 87% of companies plan to hire permanent employees this year. However, 19% intend to recruit temporary contract workers, while 16% will engage freelancers.

Nicki Wilson, managing director of recruitment consultancy Genie, mentioned, “Many companies are establishing remote teams in regions with lower salaries compared to the UAE. This model is seen as a cost-effective option in the long term, particularly in sectors like recruitment agencies, technology firms, and customer service-related fields.”

Sectors such as sales lead acquisition, technology, data, and performance marketing are increasingly adopting remote work setups.

Mayank Patel, Vice President of Sales for EEMENA and Country Head of Adecco Middle East, emphasized that workplace dynamics, including remote work, have undergone a slight transformation this year. While some employers prefer fully remote roles, others are transitioning to office settings or adopting hybrid models.

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“Companies generally prefer employees to attend the office for certain days of the week while maintaining a hybrid working policy to ensure work-life balance,” he added.

Foreign professionals can apply for remote work visas through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Nicki Wilson highlighted that this practice enables companies to save 50-75% in salaries. However, she cautioned that some individuals still prefer local interactions, and remote engagement might affect a company’s reputation. Hence, thorough training and quality checks are essential.

Mayank Patel noted that the salary scale for remote employees is determined by factors such as job responsibilities, candidate expertise, and the company’s compensation policy. Niche roles with high expertise and technical skills may command higher salaries.

Remote work is typically suitable for short-term projects, with certain roles requiring minimal collaboration among team members.

Mayank Patel added, “Roles in customer service, consultancy, marketing, creative design, certain sales positions, and IT roles like software engineering or data analysis may involve remote or hybrid working arrangements.”

While many roles are filled locally, companies may seek talent abroad for highly specialized positions or when local talent is scarce.

Nicki Wilson highlighted that countries like India, CIS countries, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are experiencing a surge in remote work opportunities. Additionally, there is a wealth of tech talent in countries like the Netherlands and other Scandinavian nations.