Benefits and challenges of working in Dubai

Of the 1.83 million OFWs all over the world, 78.3% are working in Asia. The UAE is the second-most popular destination of OFWs in Asia after Saudi Arabia, drawing in 14.4% of all OFWs in the Asia region. Other common destinations for Filipino expatriates in Asia are Hong Kong, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Their remittances to the Philippines (spread over Manila, Cebu, and other regions), which totalled $1.32 billion in 2021, help to sustain families and raise personal living standards.

While the higher wages and living standards are the biggest draws for OFWs in Dubai, there are other benefits and challenges to living and working in the UAE.

Filipinos in Dubai across different sectors shared some of their insights on the draws and benefits of working and living in the UAE:

• An abundance of career opportunities, with a preference for Filipino workers
• Higher, tax-free salaries
• High quality of living with different accommodation types
• Varied types of visas to apply for
• English is widely used and Tagalog is common
• Efficient public transportation
• Excellent healthcare system
• Many Filipino restaurants and establishments
• Religious tolerance for Muslims, Christians, and other faiths

OFWs in Dubai also shed light on the challenges and difficulties they face working in Dubai:

• The dry, scorching summer heat (a deviation from the hot yet humid and rainy tropics of the Philippines)
• Poor job security for entry-level workers
• High cost of living (most will rent a bed space or room partition instead of getting their own room or apartment)
• The city’s multiple fines (while OFWs deem some reasonable, others seem extreme)