UAE Shifts Focus, No Longer Hiring ‘Unskilled’ Workers, Says Pakistan Ambassador

UAE Shifts Focus to Skilled Workers, Pakistan Urged to Train Talent for Higher-Paying Jobs

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has announced that the UAE will no longer employ unskilled workers, paving the way for a dramatic change in the country’s job market. Hiring highly qualified workers is increasingly important as the UAE seeks to diversify its economy and move away from its reliance on oil-based businesses.

Tirmizi says the demand for highly qualified professionals in industries including accounting, IT, finance, aviation, nursing and artificial intelligence is higher than ever. Therefore, Pakistan must prioritize workforce training to meet this growing demand. In contrast to the low earnings usually obtained by unskilled workers, which start at roughly Dh1,000 ($270), Pakistan can provide its residents with the skills they need for higher-paying jobs that give salaries starting from Dh20,000 ($5,500) and upwards by concentrating on these high-demand areas.

This change presents a new opportunity for Pakistan to develop human capital and support the global economy by doing more than just exporting workers abroad. According to Tirmisi, this change can be seen as an opportunity to improve relations between Pakistan and the UAE, thereby emphasizing the promotion of employment and investment in specialized industries.. He also cited the significant surge in remittances, which, over the last six months, had increased by 53% to £3.6 billion, demonstrating Pakistan’s economic potential.

Tirmizi urged that Pakistan must place greater emphasis on tourism, higher education and skill development to capitalize on this transformation. Plans are needed to establish pioneering training centers that provide high-quality, reasonably priced training for emerging industries to ensure the country can meet the expectations of the UAE and other international markets.

The UAE’s shift to a knowledge-based economy is in line with its long-term plan to draw top talent, increase foreign direct investment, and promote entrepreneurship, Tirmizi said, acknowledging the historical contributions made by Pakistani blue-collar workers in the UAE and other areas.

As Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates, continue their socio-economic reforms, it is becoming increasingly critical to attract highly skilled foreign workers while reducing reliance on low-skilled workers. These changes aim to increase economic opportunities across various industries and position the UAE as a competitive player in the global knowledge economy.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), the UAE’s new approach reflects its desire to transition from an oil-based economy to a diversified, innovation-driven one. However, critics suggest that while this approach creates better opportunities for skilled workers, it may marginalize lower-skilled workers from South Asia and Africa. Nevertheless, policymakers in the region are keen to attract top-tier talent by offering competitive salaries and investment opportunities in sectors like research and development and technology.