ABU DHABI // The majority of residents believe salary disparity between nationalities is an issue in the workplace, with many feeling westerners enjoy preferential treatment.
Of those asked, 77 per cent of respondents agree an emphasis is placed on a person’s passport, reported a local daily.
Three quarters of UAE residents (73 per cent) believe a person’s nationality determines their social and professional mobility and more than eight out 10 survey respondents (85 per cent) agree that salary disparity between nationalities is an issue in the workplace.
All these ideas are more likely to be believed by expatriates then by Emiratis.
Vijay Kumar, an Indian expatriate, feels westerners are favoured.
“There is a disparity in salaries but this also depends on designation and competence and performance play a role,” he said. “Many employers prefer to hire someone who would not need to get a visa every time they travel.
“Apart from being paid better, those with passports from the West also have better job opportunities if they want to shift to a new job.”
Aqif Halim, 26, a Pakistani, agrees.
“I feel that people who have a passport from a western country are given more preference in my country compared to UAE,” said Mr Halim, who works in the marketing division of a finance firm in Abu Dhabi.
