Moving to Dubai for an HR Career: What Should I Know About Local Practices and Laws?

ashwini_saileelas
Dear all, this is Ashwini from Bangalore. I am anxious to learn about Dubai HR practices and current labor laws as I am planning to shift to Dubai and am also looking for a suitable job there. I have completed an MBA in HR with a full-time course and have one year of professional experience in the HR field with an MNC company. I request all members to help me in updating current HR practices in Dubai so that it could be a little easier to attend interviews and find a job.

People who are working in Dubai as HR, please update me as I am in need of your help. Keep posting.

Regards,
Ashwini E.S.
skhadir
Prior to acquiring information about Dubai HR practices and labor laws, do you have any idea about the Dubai economy? Also, kindly let me know why you want to work in Dubai. Is one year of MNC experience sufficient for you to secure a job in Dubai-based companies? Are you specialized in any of the core activities pertaining to HR? I hope you have done your analysis before you thought about working in Dubai.

With profound regards,
ashwini_saileelas
I have quite a bit of knowledge about the Dubai economy. I browsed and found some information about Dubai labor laws, which I am currently studying. My own brother is working in Dubai and has settled there. Despite having only one year of experience, I am very proficient and confident in handling core HR activities. I was working as an HR generalist in an MNC company.

With Regards,
Ashwini
ashwini_saileelas
Hi Shaik, thanks a ton! I will definitely work on the current trends of the Dubai economy. Please, I need some information about HR practices in Dubai. If possible, please give me some inputs so that it will be helpful.

With warm regards,
Ashwini
skhadir
Dear Ms. Ashwini,

There is little difference between India and HR practices.

1. Since it's a tax-free salary, you don't have to worry about tax calculation.

2. PF is replaced by gratuity here, though very few companies in India do pay gratuity as per norms.

3. Government holidays are fixed, and sick leave can be availed under genuine reasons.

4. Dubai follows a contract system where the employee has to serve for a specific period (maybe a year or two or three). If resigned by canceling the contract, a two-year ban is applicable - kindly cross-check this point with your brother in Dubai.

5. Leave salary + flight fare (fixed or as per actual) after completing one year will be added to the salary.

6. It depends on the extent to which various organizations are giving importance to PMS processes.

7. Most organizations believe in learning and development. Again, it may vary from organization to organization (small/medium/large).

8. Few/top companies prefer HR specialists rather than generalists. Hence, try to master - PMS, or payroll, or compensation and benefits.

9. Medical facilities are provided by government hospitals. At times, it is quite expensive if you have to undergo treatment here. Hence, employees prefer to get treated in India.

Let me make one thing clear: HR is nothing if top management doesn't empower them. If you happen to work with reputed companies, most probably you will get an opportunity to learn and perform.

Learn more about office administration. It will help you to have hands-on experience, and it's an added advantage as well.

Develop your standards. A minimum of three years of experience is a must to make you confident about HR core concepts. Last but not least - "Don't sell (offer your services) yourself for a cheap price" because it's not the companies who need to be blamed but its employees.

Should you have any queries, feel free to revert.

With profound regards,

Wish you good luck.
ashwini_saileelas
It was such a kind and helpful gesture to provide me with HR information. I know I have only one year of experience, but I need to go and accompany my brother for some reasons. So, I am very keen to go there and find a job. I have already uploaded my CV on a few Gulf job websites and am planning to apply for a visitor visa too.

Job Search Strategy

Please suggest to me, is it better to go there and search for a job, or should I try to get selected by a company through a phone interview before going? Suppose if I don't find a Generalist profile job, I am ready to work as an HR recruiter as I am good at recruiting and closing vacancies on time.

Job Market in Dubai

I just need a small suggestion, is it very difficult to get a job in Dubai in the HR field? Please help me out if you know any references.

With warm regards,
Ashwini
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