Business
Emiratisation in CX is natural call for this Dubai BPO
Data Direct Group urges UAE private sector to hire more local talent
Dubai-based leading BPO organisation Data Direct Group has urged the UAE’s private sector to follow the recent guidelines established by country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and hire more local talent to boost Emirati employment rates.
The Ministry earlier this month announced that around 79,000 UAE nationals were working in the private sector. In September 2022, UAE’s authorities set out quotas for hiring Emiratis for the first time and gave private companies deadlines to reach them.
Private sector companies with at least 50 employees needed to ensure 3 per cent of their workforce was made up of Emiratis by July 7. Four days later on July 11, MoHRE announced a new update to the rules, whereby private companies with 20 to 49 employees are now included in the government’s Emiratisation drive with the new rules now applicable to companies across 14 economic sectors including property, education, construction and health care.
“This is the time to infuse the current market with a great new talent pool that is homegrown and localised. Emirati employment rate is projected to increase to 10 per cent in 2026 with a steady growth every year and it is the time for private businesses of the country to step up by reaching targets laid down by the MoHRE,” said Rajiv Dalmia, the chairman and founder of Data Direct Group that today employs close to 1,500 professionals from over 25 nationalities working in four countries.
“We achieved outstanding results in going beyond to fulfill the government’s targets for hiring Emirati talent. A major part of that success is due to the fact that Emiratisation has always been a part of our role to keep local clients happy while enhancing the customer experience.”
Rajiv Dalmia
As part of the company’s commitment to support the nation’s vision and foster local talent, Data Direct been implementing strategic initiatives since the company’s inception in 2002, and much before the UAE government started ‘customer happiness centres’ across the country to serve the local population. An internal audit by DDG after the first half of 2023 has shown staff representation among Emiratis at nearly 5-7 times the minimum required, especially in certain departments.
“We do not see Emiratisation as a minimum quota to achieve just for the sake of representation,” added Dalmia. “The more the merrier, and there is a constant endeavour to seek out local talent first before we look at other options.”
Elaborating on the MoHRE data, recruitment consultancy Qureos has said sectors such as business services (14% growth year on year), construction (13%), and commerce and repair services (10%) are among the new frontrunners in Emirati hiring, coming neck-to-neck with the traditional BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) sector. Data Direct serves many clients in the services and banking sector.
Qureos data also suggests a massive 75% increase in college enrolment for banking studies. The graduates are due to be incorporated in the near future where the HR departments of companies such as Data Direct stand to benefit. “Employees within our team setup and familiar with the work culture at Data Direct Group provide good referrals to future employees. References are our best sources for talent,” said Nona Sharma, HR head at DDG.
“The accomplishment in surpassing Emiratisation targets is a testament to our commitment to the UAE’s socio-economic growth and vision for a prosperous future. By empowering local talent, we also strengthen our own organisational capabilities.”
DDG has been working with many government entities to enhance the customer experience during interactions. Meanwhile, the rise of Gulf countries’ economies has also seen a surge in hiring local talent. “A collaboration with Talabat in Bahrain, for instance, has happened due to our track record on this and their requirements to keep 100% staff local. In Oman, it is 80% of our strength while the highly cosmopolitan nature of UAE means we have about 35-40 locals who cater to clients, including key government agencies. Having talented local colleagues is not tokenism for us. They are, in fact, the guiding light for us in many cases,” Dalmia added.
Announcements
Dubai ad agency turns billboard into a self-funded tribute of gratitude and love for the UAE
As global markets navigate a landscape of uncertainty, the UAE continues to stand as a beacon of stability and resilience. While business leaders across the region have applauded the nation’s defence mechanisms and leadership, one Dubai-based advertising firm is moving beyond words and into action.
NextWhat Advertising has unveiled a massive, self-funded tribute billboard at the Dubai World Trade Centre Roundabout. In a move that breaks industry norms, the agency has bypassed commercial revenue to dedicate one of the city’s most premium outdoor spots to a message of solidarity and love for the UAE leadership.
The billboard, strategically located in the parking area facing the flow of traffic from Emirates Towers toward Zabeel Road and facing the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road, carries a heartfelt message honouring the strength, wisdom, and commitment to unity that defines the UAE’s path forward.
Gratitude for leadership
While Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaigns are common, they are almost exclusively funded by clients. NextWhat is pioneering a different path: the billboard owner acting as the benefactor.
“Typically, we see clients using CSR funds for these types of messages. Among outdoor media players, we are amongst the first few to have done this entirely on our own,” says Tanvir Shah, Founder and Managing Director of NextWhat Advertising.
“We’ve spent our own money and used our own premium space, no sponsorship, no clients, to show our genuine gratitude for the safety and leadership the UAE provides.”
From Mumbai to the world stage
The man behind the move, Tanvir Shah, is a first-generation entrepreneur with a legacy of Thinking Big. A graduate of Mumbai’s prestigious Sydenham College and a veteran of The Times of India, Shah launched his first venture in 1992. Today, his footprint spans India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.
Under Shah’s leadership, NextWhat has become synonymous with unmissable brand experiences. By dedicating their state-of-the-art digital and large-format sites to a national cause, the company is demonstrating that in the UAE, the bond between the private sector and the state is built on more than just commerce; it is built on shared resilience.
United we stand as a family
Today, as business leaders and residents alike confront uncertainty, they do so not as guests in a foreign land, but as a united family standing in defence of the home that has embraced them. This bond has been forged through years of shared milestones and a collective belief that, regardless of origin, hearts can beat as one for the Emirates.
“The UAE has given us extraordinary opportunities and unwavering support. Just as it welcomed us during times of prosperity, we stand with it now in moments of challenge. We are not merely expatriates or guests; we are family. Irrespective of nationality, we have consciously chosen this country as our home, and we hold it close to our hearts. Our loyalty has only grown stronger through the trust and confidence shown by the nation’s leadership. This land has embraced us with dignity, and the least we can do is stand by it. At the end of the day, we are one,” concluded Shah.
Click on the link to see a video of the ad: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWqPp7EjKCU
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