The majority of foreigners in the UAE have no real knowledge of Emirati culture and traditions, a recent survey has revealed.
A survey of over 2,000 expatriates carried out by the UAE's Ministry of Interior found that 60 per cent confessed to having only a "basic" knowledge about their host country's culture, with 12 per cent admitting that they knew “next to nothing”.
Although most expats (70 per cent) said that there were enough resources available to help them learn about the local culture, only a third said they set aside enough time to research it, while 11 per cent confessed they had never tried to learn at all.
This was despite the fact that the majority of expats surveyed (77 per cent) had lived in the UAE for more than a year, while more than two-fifths (43 per cent) had lived there at least five.
When it came to the UAE's religious holidays, only four in ten (39 per cent) said that they knew when they fell and what their significance was, while the majority (61 per cent) said they were "not really" aware, or knew just "some of the time".
Writing in the Ministry of Interior's magazine 999, where the results were published, Karen Remo-Listana and Emma Procter said expats' apparent "complacence" could go some way towards explaining why stories of foreigners being arrested for offences “from kissing to swearing in public flood the papers on a regular basis”.
“The survey data suggests a serious case of ignorance of the country's moral boundaries and thus explains the increasing incidents of expats falling foul of the law,” they added.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Thursday 23 February 2012
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Hong Kong looks to lure expat workers
The Hong Kong government is stepping up plans to attract talented foreign workers to the island as it predicts a huge labour shortage.
The former British colony has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations coupled with one of the lowest birth rates. The Hong Kong government forecasts a shortfall of 14,000 employees by 2018, as the growth of its workforce slows to 0.6 per cent a year. It needs to be double this growth rate. This 14,000 shortfall is needed just to maintain its existing labour force, without taking into account any growth in jobs as the economy expands.
Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung said: "The government has put in place a host of measures to attract and nurture talents and upgrade the skills of our workforce in order to ensure an adequate manpower supply. It is noteworthy that the growth in both the manpower requirement and supply is projected to tilt towards workers with higher education qualifications.”
This opens a gap for educated foreign workers to relocate to the city as there will be a surplus of low-skilled workers. But While Hong Kong is hoping to lure professionals from overseas, it is facing stiff competition from cities such as Singapore, Tokyo and Shanghai.
It also faces the triple challenges of pollution, high home prices and difficulties in finding school places for expatriate children, common reasons why foreign professionals choose not to live in Hong Kong.
Mr Cheung added: “Aging population is one of the key population policy issues on which the government has been focusing its efforts. As the retirees leave the labour force, the growth in manpower supply will be hindered.”
About 17 per cent of Hong Kong’s population will be at least 65 years old by 2018, compared with 13 per cent last year, according to its Census and Statistics Department.
Raymond So, dean at the business school of the Hang Seng Management College in Hong Kong, said: “Some international companies may opt for Singapore over Hong Kong because of pollution and education concerns, but Hong Kong still has an edge in its proximity to China.”
Demand for professionals in the financial services industry is expected to increase 2.5 per cent to 253,100 by 2018. The number of workers needed in the manufacturing sector however may drop 3.1 per cent, according to a government report.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
The former British colony has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations coupled with one of the lowest birth rates. The Hong Kong government forecasts a shortfall of 14,000 employees by 2018, as the growth of its workforce slows to 0.6 per cent a year. It needs to be double this growth rate. This 14,000 shortfall is needed just to maintain its existing labour force, without taking into account any growth in jobs as the economy expands.
Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung said: "The government has put in place a host of measures to attract and nurture talents and upgrade the skills of our workforce in order to ensure an adequate manpower supply. It is noteworthy that the growth in both the manpower requirement and supply is projected to tilt towards workers with higher education qualifications.”
This opens a gap for educated foreign workers to relocate to the city as there will be a surplus of low-skilled workers. But While Hong Kong is hoping to lure professionals from overseas, it is facing stiff competition from cities such as Singapore, Tokyo and Shanghai.
It also faces the triple challenges of pollution, high home prices and difficulties in finding school places for expatriate children, common reasons why foreign professionals choose not to live in Hong Kong.
Mr Cheung added: “Aging population is one of the key population policy issues on which the government has been focusing its efforts. As the retirees leave the labour force, the growth in manpower supply will be hindered.”
About 17 per cent of Hong Kong’s population will be at least 65 years old by 2018, compared with 13 per cent last year, according to its Census and Statistics Department.
Raymond So, dean at the business school of the Hang Seng Management College in Hong Kong, said: “Some international companies may opt for Singapore over Hong Kong because of pollution and education concerns, but Hong Kong still has an edge in its proximity to China.”
Demand for professionals in the financial services industry is expected to increase 2.5 per cent to 253,100 by 2018. The number of workers needed in the manufacturing sector however may drop 3.1 per cent, according to a government report.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Failure to secure expat health insurance risks more than money
Insurance is now an integral part of life. When it comes to your home, you may well have both buildings and contents cover. Meanwhile, if you own a vehicle, you will have car insurance. Also, if you book a holiday, you might also take out cover in case your trip is cancelled or to protect you in the event of an emergency while you are abroad. Without such policies in place, your finances may be at considerable risk. Therefore, not taking out the relevant policies can be highly irresponsible and may cause you financial strife in the long-term. Indeed, in some cases insurance is a legal requirement.
However, when it comes to international medical insurance, the stakes are even higher. It is not only your finances you place in jeopardy if you fail to take out the appropriate cover, but also your wellbeing.
If you are living abroad and suffer an illness or sustain injuries and you are not covered for treatment, your suffering will be increased and you might even place your life at risk.
Therefore, if you are planning to make the transition to life in a new country, it is vital that you investigate the relevant expat health insurance. It is only by ensuring you have the necessary policy in place that you can protect yourself.
Health issues can seem abstract and remote if you are currently healthy and fit, but there is no way of ruling out the possibility that problems will arise and it is therefore only prudent to take out international medical insurance.
Remember, it is not only your bank balance that you place at risk by failing to secure expat health insurance. Your entire existence may be endangered.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
However, when it comes to international medical insurance, the stakes are even higher. It is not only your finances you place in jeopardy if you fail to take out the appropriate cover, but also your wellbeing.
If you are living abroad and suffer an illness or sustain injuries and you are not covered for treatment, your suffering will be increased and you might even place your life at risk.
Therefore, if you are planning to make the transition to life in a new country, it is vital that you investigate the relevant expat health insurance. It is only by ensuring you have the necessary policy in place that you can protect yourself.
Health issues can seem abstract and remote if you are currently healthy and fit, but there is no way of ruling out the possibility that problems will arise and it is therefore only prudent to take out international medical insurance.
Remember, it is not only your bank balance that you place at risk by failing to secure expat health insurance. Your entire existence may be endangered.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
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