UAE jobs: Is there less hiring for white-collar positions?

Dubai: There could be a further tightening in the UAE job market when it comes to white-collar hiring, particularly when it comes to junior- to mid-manager level roles.

Some companies have been telling staff about their impending move to base part of their operations outside of the UAE to manage their costs. The staff impacted by such a transfer of business operations have been given time to decide whether they will move or prefer to resign, according to HR and employee sources.

“The focus of companies in centralizing their support functions, such as customer service and finance, to offshore global hubs outside the UAE are contributing to this,” says a new UAE hiring market update from Innovations Group. (According to the report, white-collar hiring was down 21% through 2024.)

Others in the local recruitment space also point to finance and admin operations that are being offshored. Enterprises that have done so point to the cost of operations, including rental related expenses, as factors behind their decisions.

“Corporate tax obligations will be the other key factor that businesses with operations inside and outside the UAE will keep in mind when it comes to basing employees,” said an auditor. “The finance operations are often seen as best suited when it comes to offshoring from a lower cost base.”

Are AI jobs, projects up for a DeepSeek-led rethink?
It’s been just days since China’s DeepSeek and what it can do with its cheaper AI model forced global markets and the technology sector into a tizzy. Yesterday (January 28), markets did recover some of their poise, but DeepSeek has now forced its way into how enterprises in the UAE and everywhere else forecast what their AI needs are – and how much they are going to pay for it.

Some of that will reflect in AI related hiring too, even though it’s way too early to decide the full DeepSeek impact.

According to CIOs at some of the leading business groups in the UAE, there were ‘emergency meetings’ called to take stock of the DeepSeek option. Because many of them are expected to proceed with major projects and tech upgrades to make room for AI-led features in their operations.

That will also mean hiring AI-skilled talent.

“Definitely, GCC employers will have to revisit the new AI dynamics after the rise of DeepSeek,” said the head of a specialist recruitment consultancy. “However, technology evolving is a continuous process – everyone will have to brace themselves and catch up with this latest prominence of DeepSeek.”

Which categories are hiring in UAE
Sales and business development positions continue to be in high demand in the UAE, helped by new companies being formed here. Plus, the retail sector continues to take in a steady stream of new recruits, as is the burgeoning F&B industry.

“Companies continue to face challenges in sourcing talents for such positions – sales and business development – with the right mix of market knowledge, network, and competitive incentives,” said the report from Innovations Group.

According to Nikhil Nanda, Director at Innovations, “It is important for specialized recruitment agencies to develop strategic approaches to address hiring challenges and skill mismatches.” Entry-level roles

“Demand for workers at entry-level positions have also risen with the increasing establishment of new businesses in the country,” the report adds.