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UPDATE ON RECRUITMENT AGENCIES IN DUBAI

I GOT THIS INFORMATION FROM THIS SITE

http://www.dubaifaqs.com/recruitment-agency-dubai.php

If you're looking for a recruitment agency or consultant in Dubai and the UAE, you'll find plenty to choose from. There are a large and growing number of employment agencies and job agencies in Dubai ranging from very good to very poor.

One annoyance that many people complain about is that recruiting agencies often request a fee to sign up with them and/or to be placed in a job. This is not allowed according to the UAE Ministry of Labour, so it would make sense to try and find a job agency that doesn't charge a fee. There are agencies (usually online) for jobs in Dubai that operate out of another country and so could claim to be able to legitimately charge you a fee. However, many other countries ban this practice also. Employment agencies normally get their fees from the employer, not the employee.

Some recruitment consultants in the UAE will assist you with writing CVs and application letters, and/or they may offer consulting services and psychometric evaluations to assist you in choosing a suitable career and job. You can expect to pay a fee for these services.

There are many online job-seeking websites but they have a mixed reputation and it would be advisable to try and find out if they are reputable before sending money or personal information. There is a list below of some online employment websites that we know of, both good and not so good.

Recruitment agencies for construction workers have a particularly bad reputation with labourers commonly being charged for their own visas (illegal according to UAE law) in addition to being asked to pay substantial fees to come to Dubai and the UAE for work. In May 2006 the Labour Minister, Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, said these labour agencies would be shut down and replaced by workers' cities. This could take a while though.

List of Employment Agencies in Dubai worth a look

This list of employment or recruitment agencies are ones we have heard good things about. That's all. It does not mean we recommend or endorse them, and there are bound to be clients with negative reports (or competitors trying to run them down). No organisation can please all of the people all of the time. As far as we know, none of the agencies in this list charge the job seeker a fee for finding a job. If they do, please add a comment in the Dubai job forum (see also the UAE job agency topic) or let us know.

• BAC Middle East (www.bacme.com) tel +971-4-3375747. Well-established, they started operating in 1979.
• Bayt.com (www.bayt.com) - large online recruiter.
• Charterhouse Middle East (www.charterhouseme.ae, not .com) tel +971-4-3325116. Located in Suite 502, Al Moosa Tower 1, Sheikh Zayed Road. Also have offices in Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne. Note that www.charterhouseme.com is a spam website.
• Clarendon Parker Middle East, CPME (www.clarendonparker.com) tel +971-4-3910460. They've been around since 1994, based in Internet City and operates throughout the GCC. Has a section on theemiratesnetwork.com (TEN) online job search portal since July 2007. Office 205, Building 1, Dubai Internet City. They also have offices in Dubai Airport Free Zone, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.
• IQ Selection (www.iqselection.com) tel +971-4-3297770. IQ have a good reputation, you'll recognize their funky advertisements in local newspapers. Location 901/902 Park Place, Sheikh Zayed Road. Open Sunday-Thursday 8.30am-5.30pm.
• Kershaw Leonard (www.kershawleonard.net - not .com) tel +971-4-3434606. KL Only began operations in Dubai in 1999 but has a good reputation. In the Emarat Atrium building on Sheikh Zayed Road, just before Safa Park interchange if heading in Abu Dhabi direction. Parking is difficult. Sunday-Thursday 7.30am-6.00pm. KL also have an office in Doha. Note that www.kershawleonard.com has no website.
• Monster.com (www.monstergulf.com) - may be a good one. Relatively new in Dubai but well-known internationally.

Recruitment Agencies in Dubai with question marks

If a recruitment agency is in this list, it means we have heard something about them that makes us raise our eyebrows. Some might say they are scams but we'll leave that sort of comment to the Dubai job forum.

For example, organisations in this list may ask the job-seeking candidate for a recruitment fee up front (which is not allowed in the UAE, or in many other countries) or they recommend visa procedures that seem to be at odds with normal practice. Or their contact details / job descriptions indicate they are misinformed about aspects of Dubai and the UAE. We would suggest you try to find out more about these job agencies (independently) before parting with money and/or important documents.

Note that all links in this section are to forum topics or other Dubai FAQ pages, not to organisation website.

• Dubai Employment Board - a questionable entity which does not appear to be supported by any official UAE authority.
• Global Recruiters - there are several organisations with the same name. The one that advertises jobs in Dubai appears to be London based with a Dubai contact (address given as 76 Sheikh Zayed Road), and unusual procedures for the procurement of an employment visa. At least 3 organisations they claim to be seeking teachers, do not exist as far as we can tell (Deira Homeland School, Atika Language School, Zafirah Language Institute). We'd suggest you independently confirm any job offers received from them before handing over your cash or important documents. See also the Global Recruiters discussion in the forum
• Global Recruiting Resources - looks like a new, improved website from Global Recruiters, but the rest of it appears to be just the same.
• Jobs in Dubai - it seems to be relatively easy to find many dissatisfied clients, along with several critical articles in the press, for the "Jobs in Dubai" company. Many sources bluntly say that Jobs in Dubai is a scam. Having said that, there are also reports of people saying they successfully had their job application fee refunded (not that they should have paid one in the first place), or found a job through Jobs in Dubai. Of course, this starts a circular argument with critics saying that Jobs in Dubai employees are spamming forums with success stories, and criticisms of other, more reputable, job search companies. Unsurprisingly, Jobs in Dubai say they do no such thing.
• SOS Recruitment (www.sosrecruitment.net - not .com) tel +971-4-3965600. Offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait. Unfortunately it looks like SOS didn't get hold of www.sosrecruitment.com, which seems to be a spam website. SOS Recruitment were one of our suggested employment agencies and they probably still deserve to be but we've discovered a minor negative reputation indicator for SOS Recruitment. It may not be their fault but until we can clear it up, SOS are not on our suggested list.

The following websites are listed below because they all have one or more indicators that mean they should be scrutinised very carefully before applying for jobs through them.

• They have a connection to www.jobsindubai.com.
• They have been seen using similar marketing methods on the internet (usually by spamming forums with a negative comment/question about the website and favorable answer shortly after - the giveaway is the low post count of the posters)
• They websites share the same host/domain registrar/website designer in Canada (not that Canada is thought of as a country full of scammers but the majority of websites we found seem to lead back to Canada)
• They charge a "registration" fee to submit your resume or CV.

The links are to discussion topics so you can add your comments, whether favorable or not. Please do, it will help other Dubai and UAE job seekers. Obviously, spam will be deleted though. If you know of any others, please add them to the Dubai job scam website topic and we'll try and find out more.

• www.careersindubai.com
• www.dubaiemploymentagency.com - forwards to the Dubai Employment Board (probably not a Dubai government agency) website
• www.dubaijobs.net - connected to uaestaffing.com? Charges job seekers a fee.
• www.dubaijobs.com - not a job website, just spam
• www.jobs123.com - we're not quite sure what this is - a classified ads network? There are no apparent contact details, but the advertised jobs sound like they are for real organisations.
• www.jobsindubai.ae - forwards to www.jobsindubai.com
• www.jobscan.ae - not clear if applicants have to pay or not
• www.lobomanagement.com - gets an 'Excellent' rating from the Dubai Employment Board, which makes it a questionable agency in our opinion.
• www.sosrecruitment.net - we thought SOS recruitment were a good one, but rated as 'Excellent' by the Dubai Employment Board raises a question mark for us.
• www.uaestaffing.com - connected to dubaijobs.net? Charges jobseekers a fee.
• www.veroseek.com - domain registered to same name as the jobsindubai.com boss.

Emirati / UAE national recruitment organisations

• Aamal - recruitment agency for UAE nationals set up by Clarendon Parker Middle East and Emirates People Recruitment Company (from Abu Dhabi).
• EMASCO Recruitment Consultants
• emiratisation.org - news and commentary on recruitment of UAE citizens and the emiratisation process.
• Macs Search
• Tanmia - The National Human Resource Development & Employment Authority - a Federal Government organisation founded to search for and create job opportunities for UAE national citizens.
• UAEGRADUATE

Online Job Agencies for Jobs in Dubai

• www.bayt.com - Based in Dubai, claim over 20,000 employers use their site. Job-hunters register, post a CV, and contact employers directly. Appears to be free for job-seekers (employers pay to advertise job or search CVs). Covers the GCC countries. Website clear and straightforward to use, can search and view jobs without registering. In June 2007, Bayt.com said they have over 1.5 million CVs stored, and launched a new CV search tool called InstantMatch. Update 03 Feb 2008 - Bayt.com said the rates for employers to post a job would be reduced to $150 for the cheapest advertisement, from 01 Feb 2008.
• www.careerjet.ae (or www.careerjet.com) - a search engine for jobs, Career Jet searches other job websites and collects all their listings on the careerjet websites. Add your comments to the www.careerjet.ae discussion.
• www.dubaidonkey.com - online site (started 2005-2006) with classified advertisements for jobs, no fees to pay. Can't seem to apply for a job though (website error when attempted 22 June 2006).
• www.dubaijobspot.com - not a recruitment agency but site where job hunters can post CVs and search through jobs advertised by employers. According to their website, job seekers don't pay, unclear how much employers are charged to advertise. Job applications appear to be online via website, or direct to employers. Add your comments to the www.dubaijobspot.com topic (30 May 2008).
• www.dubizzle.com - online site (started 2005-2006) with classified advertisements for jobs.
• www.e-jobsearch - submit your CV online and they claim to send it to thousands of recruiters to make a match. Based in UK and Dubai. Website says their service is free for recruiters so it's not clear how they make money without charging applicants (no further information found on website - 22 June 2006).
• www.gulftalent.com - Middle East jobs and information, sign up as recruiter or job seeker. Also a collection of research reports related to jobs in the Middle East.
• ITPrecruitment.com - ITP are a business and IT portal/news service based in Dubai. You can register with ITP recruitment on their website as looking for jobs but job listings (if they have any) are not obvious. Nor is there much other useful information about the recruitment process with them.
• www.jobsindubai.com - online agency, apparently based in Canada, with a poor reputation. There have been critical articles about them in the local press. Have a comment to make? Add it to the www.jobsindubai.com discussion.
• www.jobtrackme.com - according to website, been around since 1993 (website looks like it was designed around then). You're requested to email your CV as a word document. A rather outdated way of operating online. Covers the Middle East and some of Asia - jobtrackgroup.net (has a more up-to-date site design) seems to be for India but you can find Middle East jobs on it too. Not clear if job seeker or employer or both pay. See the www.jobtrackme.com discussion to add your comments.
• www.mawaride.com - online portal for jobs in Algeria, Belgium, China, France, Oman, Pakistan, Tunisia, as well as the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. Even the Arctic and Antartica are in the search criteria (but no results when we tried to search for a job there). Mawaride was established in 2004 and claims to be the "largest growing job portal", whatever that means. It's either free to post your CV, or they don't tell you what it costs until after you've submitted your CV. Employers pay $115-$180 per job posting, or $6000 for unlimited postings. Listings are active for 30 days. Jobs seem to be be mostly available for India, Egypt, UAE, and a handful in other Asian, European, and North African countries. Total of about 100 job listings when checked August 2007. Add your comments to the www.mawaride.com discussion.
• www.monster.com (forwards to monstergulf.com in the UAE) - launched its job search portal in Aug 2006 for the GCC and Jordan and Lebanon. Well known internationally (operates in 25 countries). Have you used them? What do you think? Add your comment to the www.monster.com discussion. Website popups when checked Aug 2007.
• www.strategiy.com - online business portal with classified job advertisements. Covers UAE and Middle East. Website not loading when checked Aug 2007.
• jobs.theemiratesnetwork.com (TEN jobs) - their FAQs say they are not a recruitment agency. You register, upload your CV and/or apply for jobs advertised on TEN jobs (can view without registering). No Terms of Use page obvious, presumably there's no charges for job-seekers. Job vacancies are posted by companies and recruitment agencies who pay about 35 dhs - 60 dhs per job posting. They announced a tie-up with Clarendon Parker Middle East (CPME) in July 2007. CPME seems to be one of the better recruitment agencies in Dubai.

We don't provide direct links to websites from recruitment agencies that charge job seekers, or websites that throw out pop-up advertising, or, in the opinion of DubaiFAQs.com, that offer a less than satisfactory user experience. If you feel there is an error here, please comment in the Dubai forum or contact us.

Other sources of jobs - classified advertisements

• Gulf News - daily UAE newspaper in English with good jobs section nearly every day.
• Khaleej Times - another UAE daily in English.

This information last updated Tuesday 21-Oct-2008

Planning to Work Overseas...

It has been more than a year and 5 months that I have been pondering on this single question...will I take up the challenge of leaving my comfort zone...my last job and go overseas to try my luck there...I've relatives who have offered me the chance but I just kept putting it off...but now I have realized that complacency on my part is pulling me down...I lost the audacity to venture into new things...Here an interesting write up about exactly how I feel...

"Seven Deadly Road Blocks to success"

When traveling down the road it is always good to beware of roadblocks! You do not want to crash and burn do you? The same is true in our journey toward success. We need to beware of those things that will keep us from our destination!

What Are The Most Common? Here they are:

1. Fear: Fear is one of the worst enemies of success. When fear wraps its tentacles around you and keeps you in bondage, you will never be able to reach for your dreams. We must confront our fears, see them for what they are, toss them to the side, and pursue our dreams with relentless passion. Conquering fear and stepping forward to reach new lands and new ideas is what makes success possible. What are you afraid of today? What fear must you conquer to be able to achieve your dream? When you realize what it is, take an action that is diametrically opposed to that which you fear. This will confront and conquer the fear by giving you the first step in the right direction.

2. Lethargy: Quite frankly, what keeps most people from success is that they simply do not have the energy, or make the energy, to do what it takes to move to the next level. They get to a point that is comfortable and then they settle in for a nice, life-long nap! Do not get lethargic; get going! Force yourself to wake up from the slumber and move!

3. Lack of Perseverance: Often times the race is lost because the race is not finished. Success is often just around the sharpest corner or the steepest hill. Persevere. Keep going. One more hill. One more corner! In real estate, they say the three most important things are "location, location, location." In success the three most important things are "perseverance, perseverance, perseverance. "

4. Pessimism: The saying is that you can achieve what you believe. Ask yourself what kinds of beliefs you hold. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? If you don't believe that you can achieve than you won't. Your pessimism will prove yourself right every time. You will find that you subconsciously undermine yourself. Develop your optimism. Look for ways to believe that you can achieve success.

5. Not Taking Responsibility: I am the chaplain for the local police department. The other day I went with an officer as he took two prisoners to court. Time after time the prisoners made excuses as to why they hadn't yet done what the judge had ordered (she didn't buy it, by the way). After dropping the prisoners off, I said to the officer that unsuccessful people and prisoners have the same bad habit - they won't accept responsibility for their lives. You are responsible. When you accept that, you are on the road to success.

6. Picking the Wrong People to Hang Out With: We can easily become products of our environment. This is why it is essential to hang around people who will spur you on not hold you back! What about the people you have surrounded yourself with? Are they quality people who will encourage you and strengthen you in your quest for success? If not, move on!

7. No Vision: Those who succeed always see their success months and years before they live it. They have the ability to look ahead, see the future, imagine the good that can and will come from their lives, families, and work. To not have vision is a tremendous roadblock. Sit down and work on seeing the future - and make it good!

By Chris Widener

I have made a stand...and I have made a decision...I don't want that someday...there will come a time when I will regret the fact that "I chose not to pursue my dreams" ...rather than standing up to the challenge that faces me...I am quite daunted by the fact that at this point in my life...I am going to start something...and I will doggone pursue it to its end...whether I succeed or not does not matter any more...what's more important is that I will try doing so...and that is the only thing that will matter to me now...

Adam's Journey To Dubai - Great Tips for Job Seekers

Looking for a job in Dubai for 3 months (The Ending)

Okay! Its been quite a while that i’ve opened my blog site and gave some updates on my current journey in Dubai - getting a job within months (since 3 months is the maximum stay before my visit visa expires). And bring good news to everyone who gets to read my blog! Because in a span of a month, I have found a job as a web designer which offers a fairly good compensation ( and Im bringing back all the Glory and Honor to God! - thank you so much Lord!).

As much as I would want to say that my goal is met, but my journey is not yet done. Yes, if you ask me if have accomplished my search in lieu to the subject of this blog - well then I got the job but I am compelled to share to you How i got the job and My Experiences in getting the it.

This is how it goes….

Rumor has it that finding a job here in Dubai is quite difficult. This is TRUE - for me, it was difficult in terms of looking for a SUITABLE, RELIABLE, SAFE and most of all Having a good BOSS kinda job. But let me just clarify to everyone that it is an erroneous concept that “there are no job offers here in dubai - thus it is difficult” - this is not true. There a lot of job openings here but landing on a job where you best fit and where you are comfortable with IS Difficult but if you are the type of person who is not picky then this Dubai a place for you!

Actually, the company I am in right now is my second company that I am in. I arrived Aug.28 here in dubai and as I have shared on my previous post that before coming here I already have job interviews lined up ( a word of advice - it is a great benefit for you to apply for a job and search for job vacancies at your place of origin before coming to dubai), the day after, I got interviewed and instantly accepted the offer - WRONG MOVE. Although the offer was great (in terms of salary) but i did not carefully examine the kind of environment I was putting myself into. If it is your first time to be in dubai, please ask questions to people who has stayed for quite some time in dubai and get some pointers on what things to consider and to watch for in choosing a job.

Secondly, I was asked by my employer that he would safe keep my passport for the time being while I work with him and I willingly gave it to him without any hesitation - ANOTHER WRONG MOVE. Take note that I am on visit visa sponsored by my sister thus any rights to hold my passport should only be addressed to my sister my employer has no right to get a hold of it. As a result, when I told my employer that I am not fit for the job and I resigned for the position, it was not granted although I was still on probation. Thinking about it, he has no right to hold me against my will not unless i already signed a contract with the company in which I havent done yet. So cutting the chase on all of this, a word of advice, NEVER EVER hand over your passports unless its already time to have it stamped for residency ( or if you already changed your visit visa status to a residency status). Again its always a good practice to ask some of your relatives or close friends about the do’s and dont’s here in dubai.

Thankfully, my passport was realeased after 2 days and i was able to seek for another job and this time i bring with me my lesson learned from my previous employment. And so far, this time, the job I have is okay I was not alone in the company as a web designer - one Filipino web programmer is with me and some others who were very friendly which for me is very important in establishing a good workplace.

Truly our God is awesome and his Word says “He will never leave us nor forsake us”. - its true… He’s our only help and refuge.. Tis best to always rely on Him and I strongly believe that Prayer is a powerful tool. Never start or end your day without a prayer…

To end all of this I will leave you with a list of pointers and advices Ive made with this post…

1. Before coming here in dubai make sure u’ve prepared yourself (spiritually, physically, financially, PRAYER and etc.)

2. It is a great advantage for you to already have a line up of jobs before coming here in dubai compared to coming here in dubai and come up with a line up of work. (I hope you get what i mean).

3. Before coming here to dubai make sure that all your documents are prepared! (makke sure that your authenticated documents are complete and stamped by the UAE embassy - usually the stamp should be present at the back of your authentication form - a falcon emblem) *** VERY IMPORTANT

4. Ask for pointer from the people who have stayed here in dubai for quite some time.

5. NEVER give your passport unless its time to process your visa.

6. Examine your workplace before you take it.

7. PRAY!!!

Thats about it for now… God Bless You as you come here in Dubai! kitakits!!

This entry was posted on October 10, 2008 at 2:33 pm and is filed under Getting a Job in Dubai within 3 months . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

REALITY CHECK FOR DUBAI 6

SAYS NGO EXEC
RP workers in Dubai may face layoffs

By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:33:00 10/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The construction industry in Dubai is also in danger of being affected by the global financial slowdown, risking the jobs of Filipino construction workers there, an international labor union representative has warned.

Ambet Yuson, regional representative of the Malaysia-based Building and Wood Workers International Asia-Pacific said almost half of the investments poured into massive construction projects in Dubai came from investors borrowing from US banks, which have been badly hit by the financial crisis. Yuson said he based this on reports from their members.

“It will mean that many construction workers are going home,” Yuson said in a phone call to the Philippine Daily Inquirer from Hong Kong.

However, he said that nearby countries in the Middle East have been so far safe from the financial slump, like Kuwait, whose infrastructure projects were largely funded by the government.

Informative Articles for Job Search in Dubai

Dubai: Jobs – Searching for the right one Part 1

Getting jobs in Dubai, as in most other places, is neither particularly easy nor difficult. Yet, Dubai, the fastest growing city in the world, where more than 50% the world's supply of cranes are at work, and where your income is not taxed, has its attractions.

The oil industry has attracted a large influx of foreign workers, who now make up more than three quarters of the population. Foreign workers in the UAE are not regarded as immigrants, but temporary workers who come to the country with the intention of leaving once their contract ends.

A city that is growing in leaps and bounds, and a city that has recently won the Best Economic Potential Award, Best Quality of Life for Expatriates Award, Best Telecommunications & Transport Award, and Most Business Friendly Award, Dubai offers plenty of job opportunities.

Where & How to look
If your are already in Dubai looking for a job, try the most widely used means of searching for job vacancies by looking through the daily newspapers, and Gulf News and Khaleej Times include their appointments sections online. Gulf News has its appointments section separated into two sections, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain [UAQ], Ras Al Khaimah [RAK], and Fujairah), and then sub-sectioned by job industry/category. Khaleej Times also hosts the daily PDF File prepared by NADIA recruitment agency, one of the gulf's leading recruitment agencies that has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Another good way of approach is to try contact your fellow countrymen. They can help you to build your network and get the desired job in the UAE.

Recruitment consultants or agents play a major role in the placement of workers in a host of occupations in Dubai.

In view of the distance between Dubai and the countries that supply many of the region’s employees, it’s necessary for agents to act as middlemen. Private recruitment consultants and headhunters in western countries (and particularly in London and New York) deal with most managerial jobs in Dubai, while agencies in India (particularly Bombay), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Korea, the Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Bangkok) supply most of the enormous number of manual laborers employed in Dubai’s numerous construction projects.

Agencies tend to specialize in particular areas of work, e.g. medical and nursing staff, computer personnel, accountants, construction managers, executive and office staff, engineering and the technical trades. Dubai has no equivalent of the nationally-organized job centers found in western countries, and it’s the responsibility of the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs to deal with employment.

Self-employment
If you wish to be self-employed in Dubai, your major hurdle is to find a sponsor. In order to find a sponsor, you need to visit the region and talk to local people. This is obviously also necessary in order to check market conditions in the area that interests you. Sponsorship can be provided by a legally registered company or by an individual.

Negotiating with the sponsor will require some hard bargaining. The fee you pay him is likely to be either a flat annual rate paid in regular installments or a percentage of your revenue. You’re recommended to consult a local lawyer regarding the proposed deal with your sponsor.

Starting a Business
There are three major considerations to be made by those thinking of starting a business in Dubai:

1. You must have a good knowledge of the region.
2. The law requires that you have a local partner who holds the majority interest. The local partner, be it a company or an individual, doesn’t need to contribute to the start-up investment or participate financially at all.
3. When the business is registered, you must show the Ministry of Commerce that you have a substantial sum of money to invest.

An experienced lawyer will guide you through the registration complexities and his help will be vital in protecting your interests. This applies whether you’re opening a modest shop or a major enterprise. An alternative to starting a new business is to buy a going concern, which is a more straightforward process, as it doesn’t involve lodging capital, obtaining sponsorship or registration.

Many people have developed successful, highly profitable businesses in Dubai.

The experience of doing business with Arabs is likely to be pleasant and friendly, and the trust built up on both sides will be long-lasting.

Where to stay
Well, once you get here, you need a place to stay, so if the company you're working for hasn't already arrange this, then you need to deal with this quickly.

Dubai landlords normally require that you pay the entire year's rent before moving in, or else with 2, 3, or 4 post dated checks.

If you would prefer to own your own place rather than rent, you can own freehold property in Dubai. For more information on Buying property in Dubai please click here / browse our site.

The Pay
With the amount of information in the media about the rate of population growth in Dubai anyone would think it was an emirate where the streets are paved with gold. Well, while it’s true that a lot of people are moving to Dubai for work, what is not true is that all jobs in Dubai pay fantastic salaries!

Those who work in Dubai work long hours for up to six days a week, and in certain industries salaries are impressive – but in other job sectors wages are on a par with or worse than the income that can be earned elsewhere. Therefore, those looking for jobs in Dubai should take care to do proper research and due diligence before committing themselves to a career move.

Salaries in Dubai are usually similar to or greater than those paid in western countries.
But because the region has no personal taxation, net income is usually much greater, which is one of the major attractions of working in Dubai. In addition to their salary, contract workers are awarded an ‘indemnity’ at the end of the contract period. The indemnity is usually based on basic salary excluding any bonuses. The indemnity can be a significant amount of money if you’ve been working in Dubai for a long time, and many people manage either to accumulate a reasonable financial cushion or to live the high life. If you’re clever and disciplined, you should be able to do some of both. The indemnity has nothing to do with insurance but is an end-of-contract bonus which is required by law to be paid to expatriate workers as a sort of ‘thank-you’ for being of service to the state. (It’s also known as ‘end of service benefits’.) Indemnity scales usually amount to 15 (in some cases 20) days of basic pay per year of employment for the first three years and thereafter a month’s salary per year of employment. Sometimes, Arab companies delay the payment of salaries, cash flow problems being passed on to their staff. In this event, you have little alternative but to wait.

Of course salary is not necessarily the be all and end all of job hunting – especially in Dubai where it’s usual for an employer to present a remuneration package offer to a potential candidate. Such a package may include a housing allowance, health care benefits and even money towards children’s education.

All the major recruitment companies have a base in Dubai as there is a large and expanding job market in the UAE. It is possible to use recruitment companies’ websites to get a feel for the jobs being offered and rates of pay available in your particular industry sector. Another way to get a feel for the level of income you could earn from a job in Dubai is by researching which employers from your industry are based in the UAE and then writing to their personnel department with your CV or resume and asking about suitable vacancies.

Freelancing
There are plenty of contract and freelance jobs in Dubai, many in the construction industry, shipbuilding and ship repairs, and the oil industry, including offshore installations. However, the majority of contract and freelance appointments are made outside Dubai, and it’s rarely possible to arrive in Dubai without a job and find one locally.

Temporary & Casual Work
Owing to the number of expatriate workers on short-term contracts, there isn’t much casual and temporary work available, and you shouldn’t travel to Dubai with the purpose of finding temporary or casual work.

The other side
It is true to an extent that Dubai's building boom has been made possible by some 500,000 migrant construction workers, most from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Many work 12 hours a day, six days a week, in extremely hot temperatures that have led to illness and, in some cases, death. The workers live in crowded camps, with eight or more men sharing one small room. Researchers say that the average migrant worker receives a salary of about $175 a month. There is no minimum wage in Dubai, and some workers make as little as $5 a day.

There are also instances where employers in Dubai abuse workers by withholding their wages for their first two months, along with their passports as "security" to keep them from quitting.

But the migrant workers have little freedom to quit since many have borrowed thousands of dollars to get the jobs to begin with, paying "recruiters" visa and travel fees, which under U.A.E. law should be paid by the employers, not the construction workers.

When workers arrive in Dubai, the construction jobs sometimes pay less than the recruiters originally promised. Desperate to repay their loans, the workers in those cases are trapped. And under U.A.E. law, it is illegal to switch jobs without permission from your employer. Unions are illegal, and striking workers have been deported. But it is also true that construction wages and conditions are comparable, if not superior to those in neighboring countries. And the U.A.E government is making efforts to improve conditions for workers.

A law has been passed to halt construction between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the scorching summer months when temperatures reach well over 100 degrees. The government is also trying to legalize trade unions would be legalized.
Recently, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, ordered stricter enforcement of the country's labor laws. In addition, he called for improved medical care for workers, a special court to address their labor complaints and an increase in the number of inspectors monitoring camps and workplaces.

They say that history is being written here. With possibly the tallest building, the biggest shopping mall, the largest airport, and the biggest entertainment park, Dubai, perhaps can offer you the greatest job of your dreams.

REALITY CHECK FOR DUBAI 5

The Real Deal About OFW’S In Dubai

October 4, 2008 by Tingting Rimart

It is time to reminisce my life in the Philippines. How do I do this? I log in to my Friendster account, and check out profiles and pictures of familiar faces and names. Some have gotten married. Some have gotten fat. Some look good. Some are in Dubai. What’s with Dubai? I wonder. A number of Filipinos still want to go there even if it means changing careers. Well, some are fortunate though, to have great jobs in Dubai’s corporate world. I commend you.

You see — this is one of my issue when I relocated here in the US. I had too much pride in myself that, I was embarrassed of getting a job different from what I was used to. It was hard to accept, but I made it. My first job was far different from a dream job. I lasted for a month there, and luckily, I spotted one that, up to now, I couldn’t believe that I nailed. I enjoy my current job so much that I sometimes even forget to eat my lunch. I love everything about it, including the people that I work with and for — the nicest bunch.

Anyway, I want to share a very touching forwarded email that I got from a friend.

PINOY SA LIKOD NANG KURTINA

Over a thousand Filipinos arrive in Dubai every month. And why not?

Literally, the sun shines here all year round; prosperity is in the air; and it’s a place where people have reasons to dream of waking up in the morning as millionaires or with kilos of gold on their lap!

Yun nga lang, habang hindi pa nangyayari yun, iba ang nakikita ng maraming Pinoy pagdilat nila sa umaga — kurtina!

Betcha by golly wow! Paano ko ie-explain to fascinated Pinoys back home our living condition here!

Noong una akala ko isolated cases. But with the skyrocketing apartment rents in this City of Gold , such conditions are becoming the norm.

Sideways…sidesteps

Hindi yan dance step. That’s the latest move ngayon sa mga sharing flats. Sa sobrang liit ng space, patagilid ang galaw. Kaya minsan, mga ka-flatmates, hindi na magkakitaan. “Hoy, where have you been, ba? Hindi ka na umuuwi sa flat!” Kasi nga lagi silang naka-sideview!

Warning: Smoking is dangerous to your room.

Hindi health reasons ang dahilan bakit bawal magyosi, no! Ang styrofoam kuya!

Yes, naunahan ng Pinoy ang IKEA sa innovation na yan — Yes, styrofoam walls, styrofoam doors, styrofoam room. Di ba nga naman, styrofoam keeps you fresh! Para kang gulay, o kaya ice candy. Pero siguro mas feel mo minsan na ‘tuna’ ka, o di kaya ’sirena’ kung feel mong si Claudine ka.

“Ate, di ba fire hazard yan?” “Anong fire ka dyan? Rent ang mas nakakamatay dito!”

“Illegal ang partions sa Dubai . At least ang styrofoam, pag nagkahulihan, mabilis sa baklasan. Gets mo?!!!” “Yes, Ate.”

Therefore, ‘no smoking’: ang sirena baka maging daing!

Burj Al ‘Cupboards’

Hindi lang Emaar Properties ang may ‘K’ na magtayo ng skyscrapers? Haven’t we heard, the Philippines is a major supplier of architects in Dubai ? In other words, nasa dugo natin yan! Kaya ba ng Arabong gumawa ng rooms out of cupboards, luggages and shoe boxes?

Dati sa airport lang bida ang mga luggages, ngayon multi-purpose na: dividers na rin sila — para ang isang kwarto maging lima !

Pampataas sila sa mga cupboards kasama ng mga shoe boxes na pinaka-antenna.

Siyempre, the taller the better — you keep your neighbor’s eyes away.

Now Showing

Pagpasok ko ng flat, akala ko sinehan, ang daming kurtina. Mga kuarto pala. Pero ang cute, cinematic!!! Parang barangay, complete with eskinitas. Kada bukas ng telon, parang movie — sari-saring life. May natutulog, may nag-eemote, may nka-curlers, may nakasimangot. Sa panlimang kurtina, may nag-totong-its, sa pang-anim, may naggugupit.

Ang gandang movie, di ba? “Ang Pinoy sa Likod ng Kurtina!”

Paraisong Kurtina

Ayyy! Our Paraisong Kurtina. It can make you laugh, it can make you cry.

Be proud of our Paraisong Kurtina. It exists because we’d rather send our money home than spend more for our comfort. Within its walls, lies our desire for a little privacy, our groans, our tears, our dreams, our struggle for some little savings. My curtain says a lot. It says, “I have saved again, inay; I’ll be able to send money next month.”

Dream mo pa bang pumunta ng Dubai ????

Mag isip-isip….

by

Juan dela Cruz

Informative Articles for Job Search in Dubai 2

Dubai: Jobs – Processing - Part 2

Working in Dubai sounds like an adventure to many people. However, it requires thorough preparation, starting with a successful application.

The application letter
The letter should be typed and should explain why you are the right person for the job.
Mention your motivation for wanting to work for the specific company.
Send it together with the CV and a photograph.

Writing a CV
The key focus of your CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it. A CV in the UAE should be written in a chronological or functional order. Mention language skills and experience or knowledge of the Middle East. If you are not married, it is not wise to mention that you ‘only’ live together with a partner – it is not in compliance with the Muslim religion. Write a good CV, keeping it short. You can find a lot of tips on the net.

The Interview
To do well at the interview you will need to convince the interviewer that you are technically qualified to do the job. You will also need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's culture/organizational structure and the team in which you will work.

You should dress smartly for the interview and should leave home earlier than you need to on the day of the interview - you may be delayed by traffic or for other reasons. Be courteous to all employees of the company. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities - but do not waffle.

The Questions
If you cannot answer a question you might reply with "That's an interesting question - how would you tackle it?" Fantasy questions can be very difficult to answer. For example you might be asked: "What would you do if you won the National Lottery?" You should give the answer, which in your opinion will give you the best chance of getting the job.

Don’t
1. Be unprepared for the interview.
2. Do poor/limp handshake.
3. Say unfavorable things about previous employers.
4. Fail to communicate clearly and effectively.
5. Be aggressive or acting in a superior way.
6. Make excuses for failings.

The silent language
When you are being interviewed it is very important that you give out the right signals. You should always look attentive - so do not slouch in your chair. Never lie to anyone in an interview, your body language and tone of voice or the words you use will probably give you away - classic body language give-aways include scratching your nose and not looking directly at the other person when you are speaking to them.

Management culture
The power of decision in the UAE lies with a small number of individuals from important ruling families. There is a national urge to negotiate in the UAE – don’t forget Arabs enjoy bargaining to the full! Don’t be surprised if you need several meetings before you can get to the point. Arabs don’t discuss business at the first encounter. Silence in a communication is not uncommon in the UAE. In the United Arab Emirates it is widely accepted to be late. Being able to remain tough but courteous will certainly gain you some points!

Informative Articles for Job Search in Dubai 3

Dubai: Jobs - Visa Formalities - Part 3

Non UAE nationals who want to live and work in the UAE need a Residence Visa. First, a firm job offer must be secured, after which the employing company becomes your 'sponsor' and they apply for your residence visa (a sponsor is someone who legally vouches for you - usually, your employer).

The details below cover only private sector employees. Public sector employees (government workers) and people working in the Free Zones are subject to different employment rules, and the Labor Law is not applicable to them.

Before entering the UAE
In order to apply for your entry visa, your prospective employer will ask you to send them the following standard documents.
Passport photocopy
Passport-size photographs
Education or degree certificate/s

If you are a degree holder, you must have your certificates attested by a public notary in your home country and then by the Foreign Affairs Office to verify the notary as bona fide. The UAE Embassy or Consulate in your home country must also attest the documents.

While entering the UAE
A copy of your entry visa will be sent to you by your employer. You will enter the UAE by exchanging this document with the original, which will be deposited by your employer at the airport of arrival.

After entering the UAE
Once you join the company, your employer will apply for the following necessary documents for you - Health Card, Residence Visa, Labor Card

Health Card
Health card includes a medical test (children under 18 do not have to undergo this test) that consists of a blood test (for AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.) and chest X-ray (for TB, etc). This card entitles residents to free medical treatment at public hospitals.

Residence Visa
There are two types of residence visa:
Sponsored by the employer for employment (Employer sponsorship)
Sponsored by a family member for residency (Family sponsorship)

Employer sponsorship
The employer generally takes care of all the paperwork. Just supply the necessary documents, which are normally the same that you submitted for the entry visa.

Labor Card
The Labor Card is essential for anyone working in the Emirates and is issued by their employer.

Before a Labor card is issued, you would need to sign your Labor
Contract, which is a standard form issued by the Labor Authorities and completed with your details of employment.

The Labor Contract is printed in both Arabic and English. It is advisable to have a translation of the Contract made, since the Arabic part is taken as the legal document in the event of any legal dispute.

Labor cards and residence visas are renewable and valid for three years in the case of private companies and five years for government organizations. If you are a qualified professional with a degree, or have an established employment history, there should be few difficulties in obtaining the necessary documentation.

For those coming to the UAE to search for a job, you will be entering the UAE on a visit visa and once you have found a job, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-entering the country or else directly transferring it.

If you are planning to bring your family members to live with you, then you will need to get a family residence visa. This visa will allow you to sponsor your spouse, children, and parents, if they are coming with you. In order to have a family residence visa, your salary must exceed AED 4,000 a month.

Medical Examination
All expatriates must undertake a government-controlled medical examination prior to the issue of a work residence visa. The examination includes a general health check to look for serious infectious diseases and infirmities, but especially for HIV and AIDS. The examination is likely to be more stringent for workers from the Indian sub-continent and south-east Asia, who may have greater exposure to disease and less access to advanced medical resources in their home countries than westerners. The AIDS test is mandatory, including for spouses and, if you’re shown to be HIV positive, you will be expelled immediately. The test is also given when work visas are renewed, which is usually on a three-year cycle.

For more information on Visa, please refer to our article on Visa Requirements & Procedures

Informative Articles for Job Search in Dubai 4

Dubai: Jobs - The legal aspects – Part 4

Changing jobs

Be aware that there is an UAE law which aims to stop people from job-hopping. This law enables former employers to give an ex-employee a (minimum) six months ban from working in the United Arab Emirates if they resign from a job after only a short period. Such a candidate is not able to accept another job unless the former employer agrees before the person was banned. A worker can transfer to a new employer if his original sponsor or employer provides him with a ‘letter of no objection’ or a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC). If the sponsor is your employer (which is usually the case), he may be reluctant to allow you to go and work for another company, although he may be willing to issue and NOC in order to avoid the expense of returning you to your country of origin.

Dismissals
The general rule is that you’re given three written warnings detailing your failings or shortcomings before dismissal.

If you break the law, you can be instantly dismissed if the situation warrants it and the employer is so inclined. If you become involved in an altercation serious enough to warrant police attention, for example, or if you’re found guilty of drunken driving, your employer might dismiss you. You would be deemed to have defaulted on the terms of your contract and be ineligible for any indemnity payment due to you. However, an employee cannot be dismissed (or demoted) while on leave out of the country.

If you’re made redundant, the termination clause in your contract (of one month or whatever is applicable) comes into effect. Your employer might enhance the offer if he feels that your work deserves it or if it will cause hardship for you to have to leave Dubai.

Disputes
It’s obviously in your interest to resolve any dispute amicably yourself, as you can never predict the outcome and, even if you ‘win’, it might be damaging or even disastrous to your career prospects. Expatriates should avoid legal tussles whenever possible, which are time consuming and can lead to untold difficulties.

Labor Law
Administered by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Labor Law in the UAE is loosely based on the International Labour Organisation's model. UAE Law No. 8 of 1980, as amended by Law No. 12 of 1986 (the "Labor Law") governs most aspects of employer/employee relations, such as hours of work, leave, termination rights, medical benefits and repatriation. The Labor Law is protective of employees in general and overrides conflicting contractual provisions agreed under another jurisdiction, unless they are beneficial to the employee.

The Ministry issues a model form of labor contract in Arabic which is widely used, but other forms of contract are enforceable, provided they comply with the Labor Law. End of contract gratuities are set at 21 days pay for every year of the first five years of service and 30 days for every year thereafter. Total gratuity should not exceed two years' wages. Employees are entitled to pro-rated amounts for service periods less than a full year, provided they have completed one year in continuous service.

Trade unions do not exist. In the case of a dispute between employer and employee, or in interpretation of the Labor Law, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will initially act as an adjudicator, in an effort to resolve matters. If a party wishes to appeal any such decision it can take its case to court. Strikes and lock outs are forbidden.

Working Hours and Holidays
The normal maximum working hours are eight per day or 48 per week. However, these hours may be increased to nine daily for people working in the retail trade, hotels, restaurants and other such establishments. Similarly, daily working hours may be reduced for difficult or dangerous jobs. Many businesses work on a two shift system (for example, 8am - 1pm and 4pm - 7pm).

As in all Muslim countries, Friday is the weekly day of rest. In practice, commercial and professional firms work 40-45 hours a week and government ministries about 35. The weekend for office workers has traditionally been Thursday afternoon and Friday, but a number of organizations have changed over to a five day week with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, normal working hours are reduced by two hours per day.

There are 10 days of public holidays (paid) in any year. The employee's annual leave is two days for every month if his service is more than six months and less than a year. In every completed year of service after the first, an employee is entitled to 30 days annual paid leave. This is in addition to public holidays, maternity leave for women and sick leave.

Overtime is used extensively and additional pay is required for manual and lower ranking staff.

Employment Contracts
On being offered a job, which in the vast majority of cases happens in the expatriate’s own country, you will almost certainly sign a contract or at least a letter of agreement.
This will contain the conditions of employment and perhaps include a detailed job description, indicating responsibilities and performance standards.

In Dubai, your contract specifies your basic salary, job title, duties and responsibilities, the period of your contract, and possibly also details of the reporting structure and performance measures of the company. An employment contract should also contain termination conditions, including required notice of intent to terminate the contract on either side and liabilities to be incurred in respect of breaking the conditions of the contract. Note that local labor laws apply whether you hold a contract or not. A company contract is likely to take precedence over basic labor laws where its stipulations are in excess of legal requirements, but you still have the protection of the laws as a minimum.

Traditionally, most expatriate contracts were for two years only, but it’s becoming increasingly common for contracts to be open-ended. Employers have found that they can be held to a defined period if the employee proves unsatisfactory, and most contracts now have a termination notice period of between one and three months, or payment in lieu of notice. Contracts can be extended or renewed by mutual consent and frequently are if all parties are happy with things as they are. It’s quite common for expatriates to stay in the Dubai for 20 years or more.

Dubai has sophisticated, computerized control of their labor force and specify job categories that are open to foreign labor. Certain employment is reserved for nationals, particularly in the service industries. You might, therefore, find that your contract gives you the job title you would expect, but the official version on your work visa is something quite different. This might be because of full job quotas or other reasons. You’re sometimes required to attend the Ministry on the completion of your contract to ensure that you have no complaints and to cancel your work visa.

Your passport
There is no law which states that an employee should give his or her passport to the employer. But it has become customary for some employers to retain their employees’ passports. A passport is a document issued by the government of the country and is supposed to be kept in the custody of the passport holder. The law does not mandate that the passport should be kept with the employer. However certain areas have such rules, for example employees sponsored by the authorities in Jebel Ali are required to deposit their passports with the administrative department.

Informative Articles for Job Search in Dubai 5

Dubai: Visa Requirements & Procedures

The main entry requirement of obtaining a visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that your passport is valid for at least 2-6 months before your arrival.

The procedures for getting a visa to enter the UAE are relatively simple and hassle-free and if all documents are in order, then the visa is issued within 72 hours. In urgent cases, visas are also issued within a day.

Visit Visas
A visit visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in the UAE, whether it is to visit relatives or for business purposes. The categories given below identify whether an individual requires a visit visa before arrival or whether one can be issued to them at the airport or entry point.

AGCC Citizens
Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.

AGCC Residents
AGCC expatriate residents may obtain a non-renewable 30-day visit visa upon arrival.

British Citizens
Residents of the UK, with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, may obtain a free visa on arrival, which is valid for 60 days and can be renewed for an additional 30 days for Dhs. 500 (US$ 137). Holders of the British Overseas Citizens Passport, who don’t have the right of abode in the UK, will also obtain the free visa.

33 Privileged Countries
There are 33 countries that are given the same on arrival free UAE visa on arrival similar to UK citizens. These countries include citizens of France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States (US), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. A new law was passed on March 31st 2003, where the citizens of these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa on arrival, which costs Dhs. 100 (US$ 28). Though the government officially passed this law, it does not seem to be always implemented.

Tourist Visas: Other Nationalities
Citizens of countries that are not mentioned above require the sponsorship of a UAE resident (relative or friend), hotel, travel agency, or company, in order to obtain a visit visa. This type of visit visa is also known as the tourist visa. For a relative or friend to sponsor a tourist visa, he or she must earn over Dhs. 4,000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. A hotel can sponsor a tourist visa, only if the visitor stays at the hotel, and they will hold your passport until all hotel payments are cleared. Procedures involved in issuing a tourist visa require that the visitor fill out a visa application form and submit it to the sponsor along with a first few pages of their passport. With these details, the sponsor can apply for a tourist visa, which will cost Dhs. 650 (US$ 178) and take a maximum of 7 days to issue. The sponsor must deposit the visitor's tourist visa at the airport immigration atleast one hour before the visitor's flight arrivals, which will cost Dhs. 10 (US$ 3) for processing.
Documents

To obtain a visa from a UAE embassy, you will need the following:
- Passport
- 2 photographs
- Duplicate application form
- Letter or fax from the sponsor in the UAE to the embassy concerned
- A letter from the applicant's company plus photocopy

Transit Visas
This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa, which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the United Arab Emirates. A transit visa can only be issued if a visitor has a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of transit visas are normally free of cost.

Other Visit Visas
There are two other types of visit visas issued by the UAE government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit. This visa must be sponsored by a United Arab Emirates company or hotel and will normally take 2-3 days to issue. The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is useful for individuals who are continuously visiting the UAE. This visa has special privileges for visitors from Germany and the United States. More information and requirements about these two visas can be found to your right.

Residence Visa
For individuals planning to live in the United Arab Emirates, you have to obtain a residence visa, which is also referred to as an employment visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-enter the country or else make the transfer at the Immigration department.

If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.

Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card. Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed yearly. It can be issued at the Ministry of Health or else at a recognized private hospital.
Residence Visa when buying property

If you purchase property in Dubai, the Purchase Sales Agreement (Contract) stipulates that you will be entitled to receive a Residence Visa for as long as you own the property. In accordance with the normal Immigration laws in the UAE, your Residence Visa will be renewable every three years. If you are planning to bring your family with you to live, then you will need to get a family residence visa This visa allows you to sponsor your wife, children and parents.

Parents are sponsored on a renewable visa provided that the sponsor pays a deposit of Dhs 5.000 for each parent and takes a health insurance policy from a private company. The deposit is paid once and will be refunded when a parent leaves the country for good or dies.

Overstaying
A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) - Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties will occur.

Issuing Authority
The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visit visas issued in the UAE are issued through the Dubai International Airport and are sometime mistakenly referred to as a Dubai visa. The most Dubai visas are issued during the various events sponsored by the Dubai government, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, as the visa requirements are minimized and obtaining a visa is a lot easier.

We recommend that you also contact the nearest UAE embassy or consulate for the latest information or contact the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Administration Department

Here anoher article I found quite informative and useful...

Dubai Regulatory Environment

Administered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Labour Law in the UAE is loosely based on the International Labour Organisation's model. UAE Law No. 8 of 1980, as amended by Law No. 12 of 1986 (the "Labour Law") governs most aspects of employer/employee relations, such as hours of work, leave, termination rights, medical benefits and repatriation. The Labour Law is protective of employees in general and overrides conflicting contractual provisions agreed under another jurisdiction, unless they are beneficial to the employee.

The Ministry issues a model form of labour contract in Arabic which is widely used, but other forms of contract are enforceable, provided they comply with the Labour Law. End of contract gratuities are set at 21 days pay for every year of the first five years of service and 30 days for every year thereafter. Total gratuity should not exceed two years' wages. Employees are entitled to pro-rated amounts for service periods less than a full year, provided they have completed one year in continuous service.

Trade unions do not exist. In the case of a dispute between employer and employee, or in interpretation of the Labour Law, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will initially act as an adjudicator, in an effort to resolve matters. If a party wishes to appeal any such decision it can take its case to court. Strikes and lock outs are forbidden.

The normal maximum working hours are eight per day or 48 per week. However, these hours may be increased to nine daily for people working in the retail trade, hotels, restaurants and other such establishments. Similarly, daily working hours may be reduced for difficult or dangerous jobs. Many businesses work on a two shift system (for example, 8am - 1pm and 4pm - 7pm). As in all Muslim countries, Friday is the weekly day of rest. In practice, commercial and professional firms work 40-45 hours a week and government ministries about 35. The weekend for office workers has traditionally been Thursday afternoon and Friday, but a number of organisations have changed over to a five day week with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, normal working hours are reduced by two hours per day.

There are 10 days of public holidays (paid) in any year. The employee's annual leave is two days for every month if his service is more than six months and less than a year. In every completed year of service after the first, an employee is entitled to 30 days annual paid leave. This is in addition to public holidays, maternity leave for women and sick leave.

Overtime is used extensively and additional pay is required for manual and lower ranking staff.

Dubai Entry and Residence

The Naturalization & Residency Department (DNRD) is the only administrative authority responsible for issuing visas to foreigners wishing to enter the UAE. The visas issued by the Department differ in accordance with the purpose of the visit of the foreign visitor.

Citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman) and British nationals with the right of abode in the UK do not need visas to enter the UAE. GCC nationals can stay more or less as long as they like. Britons can stay for a month and can then apply for a visa for a further two months.

The DNRD issues different types of visas, which are listed below.

1) 96 hour visa:

* Issued upon arrival at the airport

* Airline sponsored only

* Applicants should have onward booking

* Should have a minimum of 8 hour transit break

2) Visit visa:

2.1 In case of Personal sponsorship:

* Fees: Dhs 100

* Entry permit application form with completed typed data

* Original Marriage certificate and copy of it, in case of wife sponsorship

* Salary Certificate; The monthly salary should not be less than Dhs. 4000 in case of wife

* sponsorship, and Dhs. 6000 in case of first relatives sponsorship.

* Copy of the Sponsor passport

* Copy of the Sponsored passport.

2.2 In case of Establishments sponsorship:

* Fees: Dhs 100

* Entry permit application form with completed typed data

* Establishment card and copy thereof

* Copy of the Sponsored passport.

2.3 Renewal:

* Fees: Dhs 100

* Original Entry Permit.

2.4 Extension:

* Fees: Dhs. 500

* Original Entry permit

* Extension application form

* Original sponsored passport.

3 - Transit visa

* Fees: Dhs. 120

* Establishment card

* Entry Permit Application form

* Copy of Sponsored passport.

4 - Tourist visa

* Fees: Dhs. 100

* Establishment card

* Statement of tourists data

A Multiple Visit Visa can be granted after a normal visa has been issued and used, and are an option for business visitors who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable company in the UAE. Valid for six months from date of issue, each visit must not exceed 30 days in total. This visa costs Dh1000 (2006). The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa and obtain the multiple entry visa while in the country.

German citizens (both tourists and business visitors) may apply to the UAE embassy in Germany for one or two year multiple-entry visa. No sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed three months a year. The visa fee is Dh1500 (2006).

US citizens may apply to the UAE embassy in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visas. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months per visit.

A Residence Visa stamped on a passport proves the legal residence of an expatriate in the country. This visa is given to workers who have obtained work permits or for relatives living with them permanently, and additional documentation is required.

In June, 2003, the government announced that it planned to allow expatriate residents to move freely among GCC countries by the end of the year, something which in any case became possible with the establishment of the GCC Common Market.

In 2003, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which it forms a part, started making a determined push to increase the participation of locals in the work-force under a policy known as 'emiratisation'.

Just 30% of the Dubai Internet City's (DIC) workforce at the time were UAE nationals. "The DIC also has a strategy to increase the percentage of national workers," said Dr Omar bin Sulaiman, CEO of the City.

"The underlying objective behind such laws and restrictions is to create a favourable work environment in the private sector for UAE national employees, that will positively affect their productivity and improve their attitude towards working in this important sector," Matar Al Tayer, UAE Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, explained at the inauguration of a four-day Careers UAE 2003 exhibition at the time.

In May 2005, however, it emerged that there was some dissatisfaction with the policy, with employers arguing that nationals are being parachuted into positions for which they are not qualified.

Only 17% of the 4 million people living in the UAE are nationals, and only 40% of these have college degrees.

Businesses reportedly complained that nationals are unhappy with entry-level jobs like reception or office help positions and consider this type of work beneath them.

However, in June 2005, the body responsible for administering the emiratisation program, Tanmia, warned that the UAE will deny work permits and entry visas to firms that do not comply with their prescribed quotas.

The Board of Trustees of the National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority, chaired by Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, decided at a 2005 meeting to step up measures to deny firms not complying with the prescribed emiratisation quotas.

Studies conducted by Tanmia suggested that in the banking sector only seven of the banks operating in the UAE had achieved their 2004 Emiratisation target of 4%; that over 19 banks registered a gap of over 10% between the targeted and realised levels; and that the overall emiratisation percentage realised by the sector was 27.6%.

In the insurance sector, only one out of the 46 operating firms achieved the prescribed quota (5%) and that the nationals accounted for only 5.3% of the sector's overall work force in 2004. Practical steps were agreed upon in the meeting to accelerate implementation of the Cabinet resolutions in order to reverse the modest results.

The main focus of Tanmia's meeting was on Emiratisation in the various sectors of the UAE economy. The meeting discussed progress of implementation of the Cabinet's resolutions on 2005 employment quotas in the private sector including banking sector (4 per cent), insurance companies (5 per cent) and in trade companies employing 50 workers or more (2 per cent), and on the full Emiratisation of executive, administrative, clerical positions (and business ownership) of travel and tourism, manpower supply and real estate agencies.

In late 2005 and early 2006, it emerged that the Labour Ministry's PR Officers' campaign had imposed 1,200 PROs on larger companies in the Emirate.

Humaid Bin Deemas, assistant labour undersecretary at the Labour Ministry, stated at the time that as of February 6, 2006, more than 1,200 nationals now worked as Public Relations Officers (PRO), tasked with handling company transactions with government bodies.

Most of the nationals were hired after the Labour Ministry enforced a decision from January 2 that the 2,700 companies with more than 100 workers had to hire a national PRO. Companies that do not are unable to process their transactions at the Ministry.