Numerous UAE companies are reducing expenses and enhancing profitability by outsourcing roles to foreign employees, paying them up to 75 per cent less than local counterparts. As per many recruitment experts, UAE firms are mostly hiring remote workers from Asia, the Middle East and South Africa.
According to a recent UAE salary report, most companies (87 per cent) plan to hire permanent employees this year. Some (19 per cent) will hire temporary workers, and others (16 per cent) will use freelancers.
Many firms facilitate the establishment of remote teams in cost-effective locations, particularly prevalent in recruitment agencies, technology and customer service-related fields. Various sectors, such as sales leads, technology, data and performance marketing, are increasingly embracing remote work.
The guide further suggests that while some businesses are shifting towards full remote work, others are adopting hybrid or office-based models, maintaining work-life balance.
The UAE even offers remote work visas to foreign professionals, making it easier for companies to hire from abroad. Companies benefit from reduced costs, as salaries in certain countries are significantly lower (50-75 per cent) than those in the UAE. However, concerns about customer interaction, business reputation, and quality necessitate thorough training and supervision.
Remote work is common in short-term projects, and roles such as customer service, consultancy, marketing, creative design, certain sales positions and certain IT roles may involve remote or hybrid working. Companies often hire talent from countries such as India, CIS countries, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and even tech talent from the Netherlands and other Scandinavian countries.