Dubai is still
among the most preferred destinations of Nepalese workers with hundreds of
thousands of workers residing and working in Dubai. The majority of Nepalese
come to Dubai based on labour contracts made through the recruitment agencies
in Nepal most of whom are under the kafala system of sponsorship. They are
specifically sent to work on a contract of usually two or three years and the
sole intention is to make some money that will be sent back home to sustain the
families. Most of them are male employees aged between 20-30 years old, but
there are also female employees particularly in domestic and hospitality jobs.
The ten most popular occupations of Nepalese employees
in Dubai are:
1.
Construction
Laborer
On the massive building projects,
workers are involved in general manual work, which involves carrying materials,
excavation, concrete mixing, helping the masons or carpenters, cleaning the
sites, and the demolition of the structures. The job would be located outdoors
in high heat (typically 4050C in summer) and would be long-hours (1012 hours in
one day, 6 days per week). The primary requirement is basic physical fitness;
the majority of the training takes place on-site. The reason why the Nepalese
workers are attracted to these jobs is that they provide relatively high income
relative to Nepal and the jobs have a track record of providing the highest
number of jobs in the building periods in Dubai.
2.
Scaffolder
Scaffolders also build, alter and
tear down the steel or aluminum scaffolding structures to offer safe working
platforms to other trades. The job involves lifting heights, transporting
materials and adhering to masterful safety regulations. It is also more risky
and more taxing physically, yet better paying than general laboring. This
attracts Nepalese laborers to these jobs because of high wage rate and the
opportunity to acquire a specialized skill which may translate to higher paying
jobs in due course.
3.
Mason
/ Tile Fixer
Bricks, blocks or stones are laid by
Masons and tiles by tile fixers are laid on the floor and on walls. Both jobs
entail exact measuring, blending mortar and completion. The setting spans through
interior finishing processes to the outdoor locations. Such semi-skilled
occupations are attractive to the Nepalese workers who already have some type
of previous experience in the construction sector because they are better paid
and more respected than general labor.
4.
Steel
Fixer / Rebar Worker
They are used to create the concrete
structures of the workers cutting, bending, and tying steel reinforcement bars
(rebar). The work entails intensive lifting of loads, the use of tools and
operating in tight areas or elevations. It is among the highly compensated
manual construction jobs. Most Nepalese prefer the job due to the increased
pay, and the job is a bit less physically monotonous than general work.
5.
Cleaner
(Building / Office / Mall)
Cleaners clean, mop, vacuum, dust,
clean bathrooms, empty bins, and clean and maintain public and private areas in
malls, offices, hotels or residential buildings. The shifts mostly happen in
the early morning or the night in order to not interfere with the operations.
The job is physically monotonous yet would typically be indoors and in an
air-conditioned setting. This job appeals to a great number of Nepalese, as it
does not demand any knowledge of languages and can guarantee a stable work with
predictable working hours.
6.
Security
Guard
Guards control points, guard areas,
scan id numbers, open gates, and giving reports at construction sites, malls,
hotels, residential compounds, or events. There are numerous shifts which are
12 hours and mostly at night. General English education and physical fitness is
usually mandatory. The popularity of these jobs is due to the fact that they
are not as physically demanding as construction jobs and also the fact that
these jobs are more stable in terms of contracts in the long run.
7.
Hotel
Housekeeping Staff
Housekeepers in the hotels and
serviced apartments fold beddings, clean bed rooms, vacuum, dust and report any
maintenance problems to the managers. The job needs to be fast paced, detail
oriented, and of a high standard of cleanliness. To Nepalese employees, these
jobs have a rather good working environment (indoor, air-conditioned) and the
opportunity to work in the renowned luxury hotels in Dubai.
8.
Restaurant
/ Kitchen Helper
Kitchen helpers’ clean dishes, equipment,
chop vegetables, make basic ingredients and assist cooks in restaurants, cafes,
hotel kitchens or catering companies. A lot of Nepalese are employed in
Indian/Nepali restaurants. The climate is crowded and congested. The attraction
to these positions is that they usually have the staff meals and the position
is suitable to workers accustomed to cooking.
9.
Waiter
/ Service Staff
Waiters receive orders, wait on
tables, serve and serve beverages, take away tables, and attend to customers in
a restaurant, cafe, hotel or even catering. For higher education, some basic
English and decent appearance are necessary. This position is attractive to
younger workers of Nepalese origin who desire customer-facing jobs and have an
opportunity to earn a tip to supplement their pay.
10. Domestic Worker (Maid / Houseboy)
In domestic homes, domestic workers
(primarily women, though men may also work in this area) clean, cook,
laundering, ironing clothes, and taking care of children or older relatives.
Live-ins are widespread and food and accommodation are included. It is very
personal responsibility and long working hours. The Nepalese women are
particularly attracted to these positions since they provide a full package
(housing, food, salary) and are one of the few foreign jobs available to the
Nepal ladies.
The further development of mega-projects, tourism recovery
and the development of the service sector in Dubai until 2026 and further
implies that Nepalese workers will continue to be in demand in the country,
particularly in construction, hospitality, and facility services. To work in
Dubai, licensed recruitment agencies in Nepal, knowledge of terms of the contract
and being ready to work in hot climate and long hours are the key factors to
safer and more successful working in Dubai.
