Background on Work Life in the United Arab Emirates and Other Gulf Countries (Gulf Cooperation Council)

Abstract

Compensation & Benefits packages in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, despite some local nuances, follow some common characteristics. Most of the population is made of “expatriates”, mostly hired on local contracts. The local nationals often represent a small fraction of the overall population and tend to work in highly-paid and prestigious government jobs. The local governments are making efforts to promote the employment of their citizens in the private sector, which is often a challenge due to cultural and financial reasons. Packages, even though under local law, are focused on cash and built similarly to international assignee packages: basic pay, various allowances from housing to transportation, education or furniture. Benefits such as pension and subsidized healthcare may be mandated for local Nationals, and more rarely offered to expatriates. Variable pay is less prominent than in Western countries, whether in the form of Short- or Long-Term Incentives.