UAE employees did not see salary hikes in H1 2012

Most employees in the UAE have not received pay hikes in the first half of this year.

Barring some individual cases, most sectors and companies did not dole out any increments to their employees and pay levels remained static for the year so far, say HR experts in the country.

According to Hasnain Qazi, Middle East Business Manager at Huxley Associates, “[There were] no tangible or noticeable pay hikes in any sector.”

“Generally, the mood is still cautious, and whilst candidates are able to get good salary packages, increments are based on current salary as opposed to market influences.

“On the contrary, we have seen a number of clients offering less than expected, taking advantage of oversupply in certain niches,” he told Emirates 24|7.

Cliff Single, Commercial Manager at BAC Middle East, believes salaries of most employees in the country remain unchanged as employers are under no pressure to grant hikes.

“In general, salary levels continue to be fairly static.

“We have not seen any strong upward pressure on salaries across sectors,” he said.

Agrees Konstantina Sakellariou, Partner, Marketing & Operations Director, Stanton Chase.

“There was no significant trend of salary increases in H1 2012.

“Salary increases were based on broader industry, the specific company, the specific specialisation and seniority of the person, results achieved at company level and at personal level,” she said, while commenting on pay hikes in the first half of this year.

As per a recent Middle East and North Africa Consumer Confidence Index Survey, conducted by Bayt.com, 50 per cent of the respondents are unhappy with their current compensation.

The majority (68 per cent) state that their salary has not kept pace with the cost of living.

Even though there has been no hike in personal incomes, majority of residents want to stay in their jobs as they expect their personal financial status to improve in the next 12 months, states the survey.

Not going by a lacklustre first half, one section of residents in the UAE and the region believe career prospects in their current job are high.

According to the findings, 16 per cent believe that career prospects in their current job are high, while 43 per cent state that the opportunities for career growth are low.

The majority (75 per cent) claim neutral to low satisfaction with their job security.