Dubai Some UAE nationals are unable to secure employment in any of the country’s sectors because they do not have a wasta (connections to pull strings), job seekers claimed while talking to Gulf News.
Emirati job seekers flocked to the Sharjah Expo Centre on the first day of the 14th National Career Exhibition with high hopes of securing work — but were doubtful.
“I graduated from UAE University with a degree in Mathematics 10 years ago and I still haven’t found a job,” Najda Al Bairaq, 32, from Sharjah, said. “In general, in the UAE the wasta is number one and those who have it can get a job but I don’t have a wasta.”
The exhibition was inaugurated by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Najda claims she has been job hunting for a decade by attending various career fairs across the country. She said she has applied for work in both the public and private sectors — but her search has been in vain.
“I’ve searched everywhere for a job, you wouldn’t believe, even with low paying salaries but still can’t get employed.”
Similar situation
Nouf Al Za’abi, 28, is in a similar situation. “I graduated with a degree in computer engineering four years ago and I haven’t found a job yet, and there are a lot of unemployed graduates in a similar situation.”
Nouf, who is also from Sharjah, has travelled across the emirates in search of work. “I’ve been to career fairs in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah but until now — nothing,” she said. “I don’t care what sector or whether it’s private or public, I just need a job.”
The National Career Exhibition is organised by the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies. It is hosting 33 banks at the event until tomorrow — all of who are seeking to employ Emiratis.
“There are 12,799 UAE nationals working in the UAE’s banking sector which represents 35 per cent of the sector’s entire workforce,” Jamal Al Jasmi, general manager of the Emirates Institute, said. “Through the fair and other portals, we are expecting to increase this number by nine per cent by the end of the year.” He added that in 2011, approximately 2,300 UAE nationals were recruited into the country’s financial services sector.
“We now have eight Emirati CEOs in the banks and 530 UAE nationals as branch managers,” he said. “The best place for nationals after graduation is the banking sector because it’s a school in itself; it offers a good environment for growth and offers stable career development.”
Ammar Shams, regional head of corporate sustainability, Mena at HSBC believes most young graduates now have the right attitude towards career development. However, demographics and improved education have seen the growth of a competitive market for Emirati job seekers.
