Review the Co- Curricular Activity Assignment attached.? Write in APA style and improve the attached document draft. Comparing Dubai and U.S. workplaces. R

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Workplace Practices and Labor Disparities in Dubai

Dubai is one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs, attracting a diverse workforce from around the globe. While the city offers numerous professional opportunities, its workplace culture is shaped by social customs, labor laws, and economic structures that create both advantages and challenges for workers. Particularly in sales and other competitive industries, employees face unique conditions influenced by nationality, gender, and cultural traditions. While Dubai provides benefits such as longer maternity leave, strict workplace safety regulations, and modern work environments, its labor market also exhibits significant disparities, including preferential treatment for Emirati nationals, wage gaps based on nationality, and limited residency rights for expatriates.

Cultural and Social Customs in the Workplace

Cultural traditions and religious observances play a major role in shaping business operations in Dubai. One significant example is the impact of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. During Ramadan, businesses often adjust their hours, with many closing in the afternoon and reopening in the evening. Sales professionals frequently have to adapt to unconventional work schedules, such as late-night meetings, to accommodate both clients and colleagues. Additionally, during national mourning periods, such as the death of a Sheikh, the entire country observes a solemn atmosphere. Flags are lowered, and radio stations play only somber music, affecting both the business and social environment.

Gender Roles and Workplace Discrimination

While the UAE has made strides toward gender inclusivity, traditional gender roles still influence business interactions, especially in sales. Women in the workforce often experience discrimination and unequal treatment, particularly in male-dominated industries. Some business practices require women to stand behind men in meetings or defer to male colleagues in leadership positions. In sales roles, women may struggle to gain the same level of respect as their male counterparts, with clients and colleagues sometimes questioning their authority or expertise.

By contrast, gender roles in U.S. workplaces are generally more progressive, with strict anti-discrimination laws protecting equal opportunities for women in leadership, networking, and client interactions. However, Dubai does offer certain advantages to female employees, such as longer maternity leave policies. Women in the UAE receive at least 45 days of paid maternity leave, whereas in the U.S., maternity leave is often unpaid or left to individual companies to determine. Additionally, Dubai enforces strict workplace safety regulations, ensuring professional environments that are generally safe and well-maintained.

Nationality-Based Wage Disparities and Career Limitations

One of the most significant disparities in Dubai’s workforce is wage gaps and job segregation based on nationality. While Dubai is home to a highly diverse labor force, higher-paying jobs are disproportionately given to Emirati nationals, who also receive additional employment benefits. Many leadership roles in government and top corporate positions are reserved for Emiratis, who enjoy housing allowances, education grants, and pensions that expatriate workers do not receive.

In contrast, foreign workers, particularly those from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, are often employed in lower-entry positions with reduced salaries and fewer benefits. Many expatriates accept these conditions because Dubai offers modern infrastructure, job stability, and a tax-free salary, but their career progression remains limited due to nationality-based hiring and promotion practices. Unlike in the U.S., where labor laws enforce anti-discrimination policies to ensure equal pay and career advancement based on merit, Dubai lacks strong legal enforcement to address these disparities.

Residency and Employment Privileges for Expats

Another major challenge for expatriates working in Dubai is the temporary nature of their residency status. Unlike Emiratis, who have permanent residency, foreign workers can only remain in the UAE as long as they hold a valid work visa. If an employee loses their job, their visa is revoked, and they are often downgraded to a tourist visa, which only allows them to stay in the country for a short period before they must leave. This creates job insecurity, as expatriates must always maintain employment to retain their residency.

By comparison, the U.S. provides pathways to permanent residency for foreign workers through green cards and naturalization, allowing them to establish long-term careers. In Dubai, however, expatriates are considered temporary residents, regardless of how long they have worked in the country.

Recommendations for Workplace Improvements

Despite its limitations, Dubai remains an attractive place to work, offering safety, economic growth, and job opportunities in a globalized market. However, improvements could enhance workplace fairness and efficiency, such as:

· Implementing merit-based hiring and salary structures to reduce nationality-based wage disparities.

· Encouraging gender inclusivity in leadership roles while maintaining Dubai’s strengths in safety and workplace conditions.

· Expanding residency options for long-term expatriate workers, providing them with more stability and career growth opportunities.

· Enhancing labor law enforcement to ensure fair treatment in promotions, benefits, and job security across all nationalities.

Conclusion

Dubai’s labor market reflects a blend of opportunities and disparities, shaped by cultural traditions, nationality-based employment practices, and gender roles. While the city offers modern work environments, strong safety regulations, and extended maternity leave benefits, it also enforces employment restrictions on expatriates and lacks strong anti-discrimination laws. By adopting merit-based hiring, strengthening residency rights for expatriates, and ensuring fair wages across all nationalities, Dubai could create a more equitable and productive work environment for all professionals.

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