Immigration is a sensitive topic for any country. It is no easy task to manage the growing expectations of citizens while balancing the social and economic developments of a country that relies on foreigners. This is especially true for the United Arab Emirates.
There are two types of people who move to the UAE for work. First are those who come in search of career advancement or financial security. These individuals come because of economic and social hardship in their own countries; the Emirates has seen an influx of people from a variety of backgrounds looking to move here due to lack of opportunities at home.
Then there are people who are sought out by key industries - oil and gas, nuclear or aviation, for instance - to bring their intellectual property and best practices to the UAE to help this country recreate success locally. Due to the nature and speed of development in the UAE, especially in knowledge-intensive sectors, there is a high demand for top talent which, due to the relative youth of the UAE, is still not available organically.
So how are these migration trends affecting the job market? And how does immigration effect change on Emirati culture? Here is where things get interesting.
A recent report in which young Emiratis were asked their thoughts on migration to the UAE found several different trends. For instance, one student was quoted as saying that due to migration there were fewer opportunities for soon-to-be graduating students like him.
This perception is understandable, but it is also incorrect.
One can look far and wide and have a hard time finding another nationalisation policy that is as strict as the Emiratisation effort underway in the UAE. In this country today all government and non-government entities must meet quotas for the hiring of Emiratis. Even the private sector must adhere to these quotas, which specify that if a qualified national is willing and able to do the work then he or she must be given priority over foreigners.
That said, with the speed of development in the UAE, there just aren't enough Emiratis to fill every single job in the UAE, which is the reality of the world we live in. Therefore, I think it will be a long time before the job market becomes saturated with qualified Emiratis.
Then the survey highlighted concerns regarding the social dynamics of continued migration. One student was quoted as saying that having so many people migrate to the UAE "is going to bring many problems in the long run".
There is some truth to this worry. When borders open to various cultures, backgrounds or religions, the potential for social tensions does tend to sprout.
That said, I do believe that the UAE has set the benchmark on social stability in the face of enormous socio-economic change in its 40 years as a country. Nearly anyone from around the world can settle comfortably here, fitting in quickly within their own community or in the open arms of their welcoming hosts.
The UAE's current prosperity has come to fruition on the backs of a joint Emirati-expatriate effort that cannot for one minute be ignored. We must never forget that this prosperity far outweighs the minor social grievances felt by a few.
The always-important topic of culture as it relates to migration also needs a mention here. According to the 2012 Arab Youth Survey, roughly eight of 10 young Emiratis say traditional values are still the most important to them (while just one student felt that the negative aspects of multiple cultures coming together exceeded the positives).
There has always been a big concern among some nationals in the UAE that the rapid inflow of foreigners would lead to the dilution of domestic culture due to the demographic imbalance. As a minority in our own country one can easily understand why this would be of the utmost concern at all levels of society.
Which is why culture is an area the governments have taken a proactive approach on preserving, through the setting up of various government entities to ensure culture and heritage are protected and promoted, not just among the youth but to our international counterparts as a form of education in our traditions.
It is the responsibility of every Emirati in the UAE and abroad to ensure that his or her culture and heritage are preserved. Culture is not lost due to international pressures or by being outnumbered, but rather it is lost when people fail to take the responsibility to pick it up and ensure its long-term survival.
In the latest Arab Youth Survey, the UAE, due to its economic prosperity and social stability, was ranked the number one place that youth around the region would like to live.
This is a direct result of the great gains the UAE has made in just four decades, and it is the UAE's immigration policy and position as a land of opportunity that promotes talent moving to these shores. Emiratis should continue to embrace everything their diverse community has to offer; it has made the UAE what it is today.
And to those who are concerned about what the future holds due to a relatively liberal immigration policy, stop worrying. Judging by the feedback from Arab youth in the recent 2012 survey, the UAE's success is going to continue for many years to come.
Khalid Al Ameri is a social columnist and blogger based in Abu Dhabi
On Twitter: @KhalidAlAmeri
Company%20profile
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Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Abu Dhabi card
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,400m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 2,200m
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 1,400m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 1,400m
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
The National selections:
5pm: Valcartier
5.30pm: AF Taraha
6pm: Dhafra
6.30pm: Maqam
7pm: AF Mekhbat
7.30pm: Ezz Al Rawasi
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport