The market, which is expected to post over Dh100 billion in sales through more than 30,000 transactions in first quarter, will sustain steady increase in transactions and prices throughout the year
Khaleej Times elicited the views of the people on the issue following the recent decision of the UAE government to increase the salaries of the public sector employees by 70 per cent from January 2008.
Of the 421 people who participated in the online poll, 399 voted ‘yes’ to the pay rise in the private sector while 22 voted ‘no’.
A cross-section of UAE residents Khaleej Times met on Thursday also called for a government intervention to increase the salaries of private sector employees.
They said the salaries must be hiked by at least 30 per cent in view of the soaring cost of living in the country.
Ms Ellington, a British expatriate working in marine seismic section of an oil firm, said: “It is the time for a salary increase for the private sector. The cost of living has been spiralling everyday. There should be a proportionate increase in salaries in the private sector also to ensure quality lifestyle.”
“I appreciate the government decision to increase the salaries of public sector employees. But there should be a move to give the same privilege to the private sector employees, especially those working for meagre salaries,” she added.
Subhi Al Hussaini, a Syrian expatriate, said: “Everyday I am getting a shock when I go for shopping. Apart from the rent, the prices of essential commodities have shot up significantly. But the salaries in the private sector remain the same.”
“I hope the salary increase for public sector employees would not trigger further inflation and the charges for the government services would remain the same.”
Nathalie Najem, a Lebanese expatriate working in the entertainment industry in Dubai, shared the same sentiments. “There is a huge gap between the income and expenditure now as the salaries in the private sector remain the same while the cost of living is rising everyday. To ensure quality life for the employees, the private sector also should increase the salary at least 30 per cent.”
Aron Solares, a Filipino living in Dubai for the past seven years, said: “It’s difficult to survive with the existing salaries. In the past seven years, I have had to face several cost increases but the salary has remained the same. The salaries must also be hiked in proportion to the increase in the cost of living.”
Reji Surendran, an Indian expatriate, said: “Expatriates are finding it difficult to save money these days because of the high cost of living. Increasing the salaries of the private sector employees on a par with the public sector staff is the only way to address this issue. All residents working in the private sector are facing this heat.”
The market, which is expected to post over Dh100 billion in sales through more than 30,000 transactions in first quarter, will sustain steady increase in transactions and prices throughout the year
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