Some Dubai expats face uncertain future in post-COVID-19 economy
Expats residing in Dubai are facing the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave the United Arab Emirates as businesses cut back in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dubai is like no other city in the world — 92% of the population are expatriates living in the emirate as foreigners on temporary work visas.
But the coronavirus pandemic coupled with a flailing oil market has had a ripple effect on the country with many of the expatriate population leaving to return home. Many redundancies were made public in the past few weeks; Emirates, the government-owned airline, laid off hundreds of employees.
The airline did not give specific numbers, but sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that 800 pilots were laid off and more than 4,000 staff and administrative personnel were made redundant in the second phase of its job cuts. The airline has also extended the 50% pay cuts until September.
Lesley Muncey arrived in Dubai 15 years ago from the United Kingdom. Her husband works in the airline industry and was made redundant in the most recent round of layoffs. Muncey and her family decided to relocate to Cyprus where they own a small apartment they will now live in until they decide their next move.
