Dubai: Family approval plays a big role in the jobs that Emirati women pursue, female Emirati job seekers told Gulf News on Wednesday during Careers UAE 2014’s women-only day.
Careers UAE is one of the biggest annual Emirati recruitment events.
Kaltham Al Ali, a 23-year-old fresh graduate from Zayed University said she wants to find a full-time job in the public sector because it offers higher salaries and shorter working hours.
Kaltham said she does not mind working in the private sector, which has long working hours, or even in the retail or hospitality sector, but she believes her family probably will.
“I personally don’t mind, but I think my family and the families of other Emirati young women will mind having their daughters work in hotels or selling things in shops. It is not prestigious or socially acceptable.”
Mona Al Ali, Manager of HR administration and Emiratisation at Dubai Duty Free, who has 60 sales assistants jobs to offer said it was very difficult to find Emirati men — let alone women — who will accept work in the retail sector.
‘Not prestigious’
“Most Emiratis think that selling things to people is not prestigious. They will not take the job even though it pays Dh7,500, which is within the average. There should be more awareness, because they need to represent their country.”
Bushra Abdul Rahman, also a 23-year-old graduate from Zayed University, said a major reason for Emiratis — especially women — to not accept jobs in hotels or even for an airline is because they involve dealing with alcohol.
“Islamic scholars have not cleared whether it is haram or not, so many families are hesitant about having their daughters work there. I had a friend who had to quit her job in a hotel because of her parents for this reason.”
Awatif Al Naqbi, 21, who was at the fair to look for an internship said she would prefer working for a semi-government company because it offers the best of both worlds.
“I also don’t mind working in the private sector, but once I get married my husband might not approve because of the long working hours.”
Many jobs were on offer on the second day of the exhibition.
Ahmad Al Banna, HR director at Nakheel, said they were offering 35 jobs. “Around 23 per cent of our company is Emirati and we are looking to increase that number. We are looking for candidates who are serious and have the right work ethics.”
Amani Saif Al Khalid, Head of Emiratisation at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, is offering 100 jobs.
“We have 35 per cent Emiratisation, we want to hire 100 more and the perfect candidate for us is a person who has good personal skills.”
Du is seeking Emirati talent to fill the 50 career opportunities it will create in 2014 for Emiratis, in line with the UAE leadership’s vision of Emiratisation.
A spokesperson from the company said the perfect candidate was a person who is committed.
Etisalat, on the other hand, is offering 100 job opportunities this year.
Thursday marks the last day of Careers UAE, which is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 10am to 6pm.
