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Shortage of workers in UAE construction sector

Dubai: Fearing delay in implementing several multi-billion dollar projects owing to shortage of manpower, companies operating in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have decided to bear the cost of processing workers’ passports to woo labourers from India and other South Asian countries. Major contracting companies are frantically trying to hire as many labourers from South Asia, especially India, within the shortest possible time, to deliver the pending projects in time and bid for new ones, the Gulf News reported on Tuesday.

“India is the top destination and about 80 per cent of our workers are from India,” Bishoy Azmi, chief executive of Al Shafar General Contracting LLC, was quoted as saying in the paper. Top recruitment officials are frequently travelling to India to lure workers, who are shying away due to high inflation and the decreasing value of the dirham against a strong rupee, which make the UAE labour market less attractive.

“Most contractors have lowered their fees and some companies have waived the visa fee,” said Fahbin Anwar, director of Azhar Al Sharq management consultants. “Some companies have now gone ahead to bear the cost of processing workers’ passports and other formalities — such is the extent of demand.” — PTI

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