Abu Dhabi, Dec 29 (IANS/WAM) The UAE has been ranked 5th among 139 countries by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for efficiency in the labour market, a media report said Wednesday.

The UAE’s ability to retain qualified manpower, flexibility of wage determination, professional code of ethics and productivity of the workforce all contributed to its ranking, Gulf News said in an editorial.

‘On the flexibility of the mechanisms governing the hiring and firing of workers, the government has already moved to deal with this by announcing new rules, which allow workers to move freely between jobs after two years with a company, among others.

‘These new labour regulations will improve the position of the UAE in the WEF rankings in the coming year,’ the editorial said.

The introduction of increased competition and freedom of movement in the UAE labour market will make it more attractive to skilled workers and easier for companies to shed inefficient and unproductive workers, it said.

However, companies will also have to ensure that they can retain those in whom they have invested significant recruitment and training expenses, the paper added.

‘By balancing the rights of workers with the demands of companies for productivity in a sophisticated labour market, the UAE will secure the skills the country needs for its social and economic development,’ it said.

–IANS/WAM
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