Ministry of Economy launches national survey of UAE workforce

The survey will commence from May 17, 2008 and the results will be used to compile reliable statistics of the workforce in the UAE.

The survey will be conducted against a representative benchmark of sample families across the UAE. Relevant data will be collected through field visits to these families.

H.E Al Mansouri said that the survey complements the initiatives of the UAE government strategy in evaluating the status of the nation's workforce. The Ministry of Economy is implementing the project in association with the Department of Planning and Economy in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Statistics Centre and other federal and local departments.

H.E Al Mansouri explained: 'This survey is an important source for determining and identifying the characteristics of the workforce in the UAE. It will give a comprehensive picture of the volume of workforce and their participation in various economic sectors. The survey will also help to identify unemployment rates and create a profile of jobseekers according to social, economic and demographic aspects.'

He added: 'The survey is an effective tool to follow up on the shifts in the employment and unemployment rates of UAE nationals and residents. It will also help in identifying the specific reasons of unemployment and help to build a modern database on the UAE workforce.'

His Excellency Rashid Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Statistics Affairs at the Ministry Economy, said: 'The results of the survey will help to create basic gateways for the planning process in creating new job opportunities and introducing regulatory policies for the labour market'.

He said that the researchers are being selected and the representative families for the survey have been identified.

H.E Al Mansouri has urged the public to cooperate with the researchers and invited government bodies to facilitate the mission of the researchers in order to achieve the national project.