Good morning from The National on February 26, 2025.
Here is your digest of what is making the headlines in the Emirates.
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Competition is fierce in the UAE job market following a massive influx of jobseekers – and legacy expats can no longer expect to draw the handsome salary packages they once did in 2025 and beyond, according to recruitment specialists.
In some industries, there is a clear-out of older middle-earning, middle-management professionals. Younger, tech and AI-savvy jobseekers may find they are well-placed as candidates in sectors preparing for dramatic change. These were among the key findings of The National's 2025 salary guide, which provides a snapshot of the state of the jobs market and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Salaries in the UAE for certain roles have reduced. It was inevitable though, with the UAE continuing to be featured in so many ‘best places to live’, ‘safest places to live’ and ‘best places for expat lifestyle’ lists,” says Thanj Kungananthan, partner at recruitment consultancy Visible HR.
“Competition is fierce, everyone wants to move here and many legacy expats on those previous gold-plated packages only have three options: stay in current company until retirement, take a pay cut in your next role, or leave the UAE,” she says.
The workers being replaced most are long-term expats in non-technical, management roles in the Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 ($10,890-$16,337) monthly salary band.
Read the full story from Deepthi Nair and Isaac Arroyo here and click here to explore the latest trends and insights
Tom Evans
Assistant News Editor
UAE's new blue and golden visas: everything you need to know
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Over the past few weeks, the UAE has announced two new visas and has expanded an existing one.
The changes have been brought in to help incoming talent and attract more people who can add value to the Emirates.
A blue visa, offering 10-year residency, was created for individuals who make exceptional contributions towards protecting the environment, whether marine or land.
A content creators visa was also launched this month as part of the golden visa scheme. It allows people to apply for 10-year residency through the UAE’s Creators HQ project.
Read more of our full guide here
Dubai schoolgirl's initiative eases access to free check-ups for labourers
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A 17-year-old Dubai schoolgirl has been hard at work in her free time, organising free health check-ups for labourers across the city in an initiative she has founded called Heal.
Kiara Dhamecha, who plans to go to university in 2026, came up with the idea of providing accessible healthcare services to the UAE's labour market last year. Growing up in Dubai, she has seen many low-income employees in construction and other industries working in extreme weather without enough access to health and well-being support.
Inspired by a passion for medicine and the desire to become a doctor, she wanted to create a platform to address workers' health needs while also raising awareness about preventive care.
“The UAE provides all labourers with healthcare insurance and everyone has a card, but it's more that they don't know how to use it, when to use it or how to get there,” Kiara told The National. “With our initiative it's easier for them because everyone from the company goes and gets checked. It's quick, they get it done and then they have the card for any follow-ups.”
Read more from Katy Gillett here
FACT OF THE DAY
The Dubai government has fined 159 companies Dh50,000 ($13,614) each for violating telemarketing regulations as it clamps down on unwanted calls. Read more here
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