What is working in Dubai like for women?
With its strategic location and secure, tax-free environment, it’s no surprise that Dubai has become a popular destination for ambitious men and women keen to grow their careers. If you’re a woman looking to start a business or take up a job offer in the emirate, you may be curious about what to expect when it comes to the life for working women in Dubai. Today, we shed more light on what it’s like working in Dubai as a woman and some of the unique advantages that this city offers.
What is it like living and working in Dubai as a woman?
Today, you’ll find out more about the lives of women working in the city’s public and private sectors, as well as female entrepreneurs and business owners in Dubai. Keep reading to learn more about the life for working women in Dubai in terms of career opportunities, safety, gender equality and childcare.
Safety
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One of the most appealing factors of working in Dubai as a woman is the city’s secure environment. The UAE has recently been ranked as one of safest countries in the world, as per a report by Numbeo, while Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah have featured among the top ten cities with the lowest crime rates. For women looking to live and work in a safe, family-friendly destination, Dubai is an excellent choice.
It’s easy for women to move around within Dubai using both private or public transport. Most of Dubai’s public transport facilities such as the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and RTA public buses have dedicated compartments or seats reserved only for women. There are also ‘pink’ taxis driven by women, adding to the convenience and comfort for working women in Dubai.
Gender Equality at the workplace
In 2018, the UAE Cabinet had approved a law that ensured equal wages and salaries for men and women working in Dubai and other emirates, who perform similar work. It’s reflective of the importance placed on women empowerment and gender equality at the workplace.
While there are certain cultural differences that you can expect, the daily life of expat women in Dubai is largely the same as any other city. For instance, women are allowed to drive in Dubai if they have a valid licence, as well as rent or own property in the city; however, freehold property ownership is limited to designated areas if you are a non-GCC national.
As a working woman in Dubai, you can sponsor your children’s or husband’s residence visa, provided you meet the necessary requirements. You can learn more about spouse visa for Dubai in our dedicated guide.
Maternity leave and childcare
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There are also provisions in the law for working mothers in Dubai and other emirates. As per the UAE labour law, female employees will receive 45 days of maternity leave with full pay, if they have completed a year of service. Employees with less than a year of service will receive the same number of days for maternity leave in the UAE, albeit with half pay.
If you are a mother, working in Dubai as a woman is also made easier by the fact that domestic help is easily available and affordable. You can choose to sponsor maid visa in the UAE; alternatively, you can hire part-time maids or nannies using one of the many agencies.
Career opportunities for women
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The female workforce in the UAE and in particular, Dubai, is thriving. According to the Dubai Women Establishment, women occupy 66% of roles in the public sector, while 30% are in senior leadership positions. Moreover, women account for 75% of roles in the education and health sectors. There are also 23,000 Emirati businesswomen, whose projects have a total value of AED 50 billion!
When working in Dubai as a woman, you are likely to find opportunities across various industries in the private sector, from banking to real estate, medicine, education and more.
Rules for working in Dubai as a woman
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There are laws and customs to bear in mind when considering working in Dubai, some of which apply both to men and women.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT VISA
Firstly, ensure that you have the one of the right types of visa in Dubai that allows you to work in the emirate. For instance, it is illegal to work in Dubai when you are on a tourist visa. You must have an employment or work visa, which means that you will be sponsored by your employer/company.
If you are a female business owner or entrepreneur, you can choose to get the three-year investor or partner visa in Dubai, for which you must meet certain financial requirements.
On the other hand, if you are sponsored by your husband, you must get a labour card issued by the government to work in Dubai. You will also require a NOC from your husband, which is necessary for working in Dubai on a spouse visa.
FOLLOW THE DRESS CODE
One of the basic rules for expats in Dubai is to respect the local customs and religion and dress accordingly. While working women in Dubai aren’t required to wear the traditional abaya or cover their hair, they must make sure to dress modestly. As a general rule of thumb, your business or work attire should cover your shoulders and knees.
The dress code in Dubai isn’t exclusive to women; it applies to men, too!
ABIDE BY THE UAE LABOUR LAW
Make sure that you are familiar with certain provisions in the Labour Law for the women workforce in the UAE. For instance, women are generally not allowed to work at night for more than 11 consecutive hours, unless they work in managerial or technical roles, or have jobs in the medical or other fields that do not require manual work.
That’s our guide for working women in Dubai. As you can see, Dubai is a safe, vibrant and thriving business destination where women can pursue their ambitions and career goals! Thanks to Dubai’s multicultural population, it’s easy to feel at home in the city. It also means that English is very commonly spoken, although knowing basic Arabic words in Dubai can help you build a good rapport with your local coworkers!
Frequently asked questions
Take a look below at some of the frequently-asked questions regarding life for women in Dubai!
Is Dubai safe for female workers?
In 2020, Dubai was ranked among the top 10 safest cities in the world by Numbeo and the top 15 most liveable cities by the Knight Frank City Wellbeing Index. The city benefits from a low crime rate, which has also been steadily decreasing over the years. This points to Dubai’s appeal as a safe and secure place to work for men and women.
Can a single woman work in Dubai?
Yes, an unmarried, single woman living in Dubai can work, provided that she holds the appropriate visa.
Do women have to cover up in Dubai?
No, when living in Dubai as a woman, you do not have to wear the local abaya or cover your hair.
Wondering what can women wear in Dubai? Most forms of dress are acceptable as long as it’s modest. The general rule for both men and women is to make sure that shoulders and knees are covered and avoid revealing clothing.
Thinking of moving to Dubai for work? You can discover new opportunities and roles using popular job sites in the UAE such as Gulf Talent and Indeed. On the other hand, if you would like to start a business, take a look at the various business licences in Dubai.
Follow MyBayut for more advice on life in the UAE!