The end of an era? Or the start of a new one?
The growth of Dubai, and the UAE in general needs no elaborating on: In the few years we have been pushing for business, we have rapidly grown into a booming economy.
Ive written before on excessive growth, and unsustainable growth, but never on emigration. Ive always thought about the danger of too many immigrants to the UAE, and the dilution of the culture and values as a consequence.
What if the locals started leaving?
What if the locals crying on the radio about ends not meeting decided to pack up and leave? What If it wasnt feasible to live in my beautiful UAE anymore?
Today was the first time I had the conversation opened on the lunch table, and it was a haunting thought. My parents noted it happened before: back when the UAE didnt have proper infrastructure to support its citizens, a great many locals (with the means) studied abroad, and STAYED abroad... The problem now is not with a lack of infrastructure, its deeper than that...
Time will tell. One things for sure though, Im going to give it my best to fix this problem...
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3 comments:
Dude, there is more to this than meets the eye... this is my take on the situation:
The UAE's economy is booming alright... but there is a bigger problem, and everybody is trying to keep abreast of the situation here…
Inflation, oil prices skyrocketing yet again… need I go on? Inflation is so clearly rampaging man…
Ok, let me elaborate on this a little:
Take Dubai as an example. Simply put, with the price of everything going up in this country (especially in Dubai), soon most people will start leaving, including the locals. At this current rate, I think Dubai is going to be coined as the “City of the Rich Only”. Soon Dubai will be home to the highest earners, and this means that the middle class, mind you, will inevitably start leaving simply because they cannot afford living in Dubai anymore, and how many locals are from the middle class exactly? To my best knowledge, there are MANY. Not all locals are rich (and many are indebted), and despite all the help they get from the government such as pay raises, lands, etc… the worst part is that the definition of “rich” sure includes a hell lot of filthy rich immigrants, far richer than the rich locals themselves. Soon, those immigrants will start swarming all the over place buying real estate, outnumbering the locals, and this will worsen the problem somehow as these immigrants would gain leverage and ultimately cherry-picking would occur as a result.
On the other hand, I do agree that the surge in immigrants to the UAE causes concern, but let us just face it: We can’t really discard them now, can we? Take, for example, the labor force. The very fact that 100 % of the labors in this country are migrants sparks the question: “Do we really need these people?” the answer is “Absolutely yes”
Dude, how many local construction workers have you seen lately? You need to understand that migrants (and immigrants) generally boost the economy, fill jobs that the locals cannot or will not do, and pay the largest chunk of taxes (although indirectly of course… might I suggest the so called “Salik” as an example?)
There is a clear winnowing of options regarding this matter, and the situation is actually complicated. Suffice to say, the economy of the entire nation would collapse if immigrants were deported en masse. I totally respect your opinion if you welcome more stringent restrictions on economic immigrants, but we need to consider their weight in the equation.
I love Dubai and the UAE since I have been raised here all my life, and I always want it to be prosperous and ahead of others as I have seen the good in its citizens. The UAE was (and still is) home to a lot of immigrants out there whom with their current status have much better working conditions than they could have possibly dreamt of.
But the current state of the economy, high indirect (and soon direct) taxes, and immigration are all seen as contributing factors to the dwindling numbers of locals in this country. Inshallah things will get better… But if the situation doesn’t get any better (Dubai becomes unbearably expensive for example), I think Al-Ain is an excellent choice to relocate to, anyone?
BTW, you got a really nice blog out there Ali. Keep up the good work man… you really have brought up some very important issues out there that concern locals and non-locals alike.
I wish you success in everything you do. May Allay guide you always.
*May Allah guide you always.
Ah! I left, not given insane cost of living, racism or discrimination, but a constant state of temporariness. Born and raised in the UAE, now living and learning to belong in NYC. I just feel bad for folks like my parents, 40 years in one place, near retirees - and no clear place to go home to. Of course, I feel for you folks, it is after all your home, and nobody should feel quite so overwhelmed with foreigners.
All I can say is, hang tough, things shall subside - just stay your course, work out a career and make sure you promote local ways of life to as many expats as possible.
Two fils worth.
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