Structural barriers to Emiratisation : analysis and policy recommendations

Decades of rapid development on the Arabian Peninsula attracted numerous migrant workers who now dominate the labour markets. In the United Arab Emirates, expatriate workers take some 98 per cent of jobs in the private sector and 91 per cent in the public sector; Emirati nationals have the few remaining jobs, yet also have a high unemployment rate. The purpose of this research project is to identify the factors that enhance placement and retention of UAE nationals in Dubai?s workplace and propose a feasible strategy for greater job opportunities for UAE nationals and achieve an increased workforce participation. This study employs a theoretical framework based on three aspects of capital theory: human capital elements, that is, education, skills, and experience; social capital factors, such as gender inequality, nepotism and trust; and organisational capital variables, such as culture, English fluency and human resource management (HRM).