For thousands of expatriate workers who built their lives around opportunities in the Gulf, the employment market is becoming increasingly uncertain.
The economic impact of the continuing conflict involving Iran has affected several sectors in Dubai, leaving many workers facing job losses, salary cuts and fewer opportunities to find fresh employment.
Take the case of Ramesh, an Indian professional who spent several years working in the services sector. After his company began losing business, his position was among those eliminated.
He initially believed that his experience would help him quickly find another opportunity. Months later, however, he is still searching, as companies have become more cautious about recruitment.
Ramesh is now considering returning to India, as he feels that renewing his residence permit is no longer affordable.
Similar stories are emerging across the hospitality, retail, aviation-linked and other service sectors.
A recent survey cited in media reports indicated that one in four UAE employers expected to reduce jobs in the third quarter of 2026, while nearly one-third had no plans to recruit.
The slowdown is particularly worrying for expatriates whose families back home depend on their monthly remittances.
Deepak Kumar, a UAE resident, said, “I work as a driver here. The travel company I was working for suffered losses after tourism was affected, and I eventually lost my job. I now have no option but to return home.”
He added, “Since visa renewals for Pakistani workers have reportedly become difficult, I initially thought there would be more opportunities for people like me. But my company is instead hiring new drivers from India at entry-level salaries.”
Deepak continued, “I worked for the same company for 10 years, but that experience did not help me retain my job. They said they could no longer afford the salary I was drawing.”
“With my financial commitments, it is simply not possible for me to survive on the salary being offered to entry-level drivers,” he lamented.
The uncertainty is not limited to traditional sectors. The global technology industry is also witnessing another wave of restructuring as companies increasingly adopt artificial intelligence and seek greater efficiency.
Thousands of software and technology jobs have reportedly been affected across different companies in the UAE.
For experienced professionals in their 50s, a sudden job loss creates an additional challenge. Finding a new role at the same seniority and salary level may not be easy, especially when companies are cutting costs and changing their skill requirements.
From Dubai’s migrant workforce to software professionals, the message is increasingly similar: job security can no longer be taken for granted.
For many families, the immediate priority is simply to survive the slowdown and wait for better opportunities.
