Women account for 34% of total workers in 477 firms
Emiratis account for only around 2.2 per cent of the total labour at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) despite steady expansion in the Centre's activity over the past years, a survey has showed.
Women appeared to be matching the rise in the number of workers at DIFC as they peaked at nearly 34 per cent of the total work force of 7,437 in 477 companies covered by the DIFC's survey.
The survey, published in the semi official daily Alittihad on Wednesday, showed 3,904 women work at those companies while 7,427 men are employed.
Emiratis totalled 247, accounting for nearly 2.2 per cent of the work force, including 131 men and 116 women, according to the survey.
It showed 773 companies are registered at DIFC, providing jobs to 11,331 men and women, mostly Arab and Asian expatriates.
Financial services provided more than half the jobs at DIFC companies, with 5,698 employees. It was followed by business activities with 5,332 workers.
The report showed DIFC is one of the largest financial institutions in the region, contributing by around 3.6 per cent of Dubai's GDP of nearly Dh300 billion in 2010. Its contribution to the UAE's GDP was estimated at about 0.97 per cent as it stood at Dh10.7 billion in 2010, up by nearly 5.2 per cent over 2009.
© Emirates 24|7 2011
