abu dhabi government sacks expat workers

The administrative arm of Abu Dhabi's top government department, the General Secretariat of the Executive Council (GSEC), has dismissed most of its expatriate employees, according to Reuters.

abu dhabi government sacks expat workers

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The number of employees affected could be around 40-70, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Although the sources declined to be named because the decision has not been officially announced, they did state that the Abu Dhabi government had offered severance benefits to dismissed employees.

The GSEC, which is the administrative body which develops and executes Abu Dhabi’s strategic plans and policies, declined to comment said Reuters.

There is growing pressure around the Gulf to reduce the expatriate workforce in favour of locals, to reduce the level of unemployment.

From November 15 last year, the Saudi Ministry of Labour imposed a fine on companies that draw more than half their staff from expatriate circles, to the tune of 2,400 riyals a year ($640, £402, €500) for each foreign employee above the 50% level. 

To read an International Adviser profile of Saudi Arabia, click here.

 

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