By Lionel Boyce
The Middle East needs to address the issues affecting F&B sector hiring practices (and those of other industries) if the region’s hospitality industry is to move forward
Running a hospitality business in Dubai can be hard.
In terms of recruitment, it’s difficult not to get frustrated, especially when you think of all the red tape you need go through to employ new staff.
Firstly, you need the working visa, flight ticket, labour card, health card and accommodation. Then you have the ‘are they employed in the UAE already’ situation. If so, is it an immigration or a labour visa, is there an employment ban on them, or can their existing visa be transferred — and how much will that cost?
Hopefully, this lengthy proceedure means you get the best candidate for the role.
But the whole process adds to that ongoing problem affecting the service industry in Dubai — namely that not many native Emiratis want to work in hospitality.
This makes it very hard to build a stable local industry, as they are the only people that have no issues in residing in their own country without all the government checks, bells and whistles required for employment — not to mention the stability they can offer as employees (this is their own country) or the undiscovered talent of budding chefs wanting to succeed in their own country.
In its efforts to move forward, Dubai has invested a lot of time and money into hospitality; but this doesn’t seem to be fully supported by the correct mindset or structure.
The strict immigration policies within the UAE not only hamper the interview process, making recruitment so laborious that sometimes it is impossible to employ the appropriate person; it also limits how long you can employ someone for, as there are no long-term options for people of other nationalities to reside in the UAE for more than a few years (such as the residency or citizenship options available in other countries).
In my layman’s opinion, the upshot is that the hospitality industry suffers, as does Dubai as a whole.
How can we provide excellent service without properly skilled and trained staff with long-term employment prospects?
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I believe a two-pronged attack is required:
1. Build a better infrastructure that supports local business, eliminating the current issues hampering the evolution of industry in Dubai.
2. Examine and assess the issues associated with employment and streamline the process of permitting someone to reside here after their contract has ended, as well as allowing them to take up a new position without an NOC letter and without having to leave the country.
UAE nationals should also be encouraged to take pride in and embrace the industry that they use on a daily basis. After all, hospitality is not only one of the country’s main revenue streams, but also a traditional national trait and source of deserved pride in the Emirati culture.
Something that is also vital for industry growth is widespread and continuing government support.
Perhaps what should change first is the legislation that sees foreigners working in the UAE threatened if job loss occurs. Currently I understand they only have one month to remove themselves and their family or find a new employer, before being deported.
There also needs to be an ongoing commitment to making the industry more equitable and stable, supported by training schemes and educational programmes aimed particularly, but not exclusively, at local nationals.
Please don’t get me wrong, we have a strong F&B industry and some very talented (mainly imported) chefs in UAE.
My call is simply for a better system that helps to strengthen this industry and encourages more local talent.
Hospitality is a field that provides strong job opportunities with room for growth. It nurtures abilities and develops skills that can lead to long-term, rewarding careers.
Dubai should grasp this with both hands and help hospitality thrive, reflecting the passion and commitment of the industry itself.
Lionel Boyce is the executive chef at Desert Palm Dubai; for more information, please visit: http://desertpalm.peraquum.com
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Apr 12, 2010 , New Zealand
Lionel writes an excellent commentary and a thought provoking examination of the current employment situation. In particular the authorities need to address their plans for building an effective and stable work force, by as he states - some 'whole thinking approach ' to the problem. Dubai has ...