Dubai women could benefit economically post pandemic

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

 A research has ranked Dubai as fifth among 100 cities in the world where women could have the best economic and employment opportunities through and Post-COVID19.

The research was from the UK-based FutureLearn of The Open University and Seek Group career portal, and which is into the creation of attractive and enjoyable access to wide-ranging short online courses to post-graduate degrees.

The 100 cities were chosen based on evidence-based data regarding Pre-COVID19 economic, educational and aspirational opportunities, gross domestic product growth rate, and birthing of start-ups that demonstrate openness to innovation. Additionally, as the study had been set up in late 2019 but was trapped through COVID19, the 100 were also selected in accordance to the “pandemic’s impact on the job market (which were then) compared with latest unemployment rate versus the projected unemployment rate according to the International Monetary Fund,” the response of (governments to the global crisis) in terms of support to businesses, and plans for ailing companies.

In a related news, Bayt.com, the leading regional job site portal, has identified the seven jobs in the UAE which have  gotten the most applications at 700,000 from March to May.

These were (Internet & E-Commerce) Customer Care agent, (Food & Beverage Production) Warehouse, Logistics & Factory agent, (Medical & Healthcare Equipment) Finance & Administration officer, (Economics & Financial Consulting) Database administrator, (Shipping) senior accountant, (Economics & Financial Consulting) statistician, and (Software Development) Office administrator.

Bayt.com Human Resources director Ola Haddad said that to nail these jobs, the applicants must be equipped with skills related to written and verbal communication, organisational/time management/multi-tasking; data gathering/analysis, negotation/decision-making, accuracy and attention to detail.

The Bayt.com report confirmed what Abu Dhabi National Oil Company-Borouge Recruitment Projects Senior specialist Jose Koska and Equiti Group-Human Resources Global Projects associate CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development)/business partner Mayne Tamondong had said on the employment landscape at the May 5 “Illustrado Talks” webinar on “Finding A Job During the COVID19,” wherein they also said the UAE is open to freelancing as well as to part-time jobs.

Koska however cautioned that part-time jobs should neither be against company policies nor in conflict of interest with one’s nature of work.

Five Filipinas who have become successful as freelancers in the past several years were featured in the webinar: hair & make-up artist/content creation photographer/marketing consultant Ellaine Fatima (UAE), Sandbox Creatives chief content strategist & managing partner/production manager & content writer Kristine Abante (UAE), Digital Media manager/editor/writer Lorraine Balita-Centeno (Canada), voice-over artist/remote radio presenter Jay Behrouzi-Sneade (UK), and fashion/beauty/lifestyle brand specialist/visual content creator/senior portrait photographer Cristine Linaza (Philippines).

Consequently interviewed, Dubai resident Abante said: “Getting a trade license was inexpensive, easy and fast. Networking still is key which helps you get around (the country). There are alot of co-working space for creative freelancers in the UAE. Know your strengths and what you can offer. Stay positive and save for the rainy day.”

Toronto resident Balita-Centeno said: “We will get through this (pandemic).

This is just temporary. Let us roll with the punches. Explore opportunities online. We are no longer limited with our zip codes because of the Internet and so we can get projects anywhere. Know yourself more, keep on building up talents and skills. It will be helpful as companies are into portfolios.”

On the research of the 100 Best Cities for women employment, factored in too, by the commissioned research arm Magmatic Research, were governmental efficacy, workers’ rights and gender equality, quality of life, average disposable income, parental leave laws, and health spending.