Abu Dhabi Emerges as UAE’s New Blue-Collar Employment Hub with 25% Surge in Indian Worker Demand
Abu Dhabi’s booming industrial landscape has triggered a 25% surge in demand for blue-collar Indian workers, offering wages up to 30% higher than other emirates. With massive infrastructure projects and expanding manufacturing and logistics sectors, the capital city is rapidly challenging Dubai’s longstanding position as the UAE’s premier employment destination.
Key Takeaways:
- Construction, manufacturing, and transport sectors offering 15-30% higher wages than elsewhere in UAE, attracting skilled tradespeople.
- Emirate’s GDP grew 4.5% in 2024, with construction expanding 10% in Q3 alone, contributing AED 26.7 billion to the economy.
- Logistics sector projected to grow at nearly 7% annually as region positions itself as global trade hub.
- Indian workers, who constitute nearly 40% of UAE’s population, find significant opportunities with an estimated 100,000-500,000 employed in Abu Dhabi’s construction sector.
UAE Merger Control: New Thresholds set for March 31st Launch
The UAE Cabinet has issued Decision No. (3) of 2025 (the “Decision”), clarifying the thresholds under the new merger control regime, which are set to come into force on 1 April 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- From 31st March 2025, an “Economic Concentration” (e.g. a merger, acquisition, joint venture transaction, etc.) must be notified to the UAE Ministry of Economy for review 90 days before completion if combined UAE sales exceed AED 300 million during the last fiscal year or if parties hold a combined 40% market share.
- Failure to notify transactions can result in fines between 2% and 10% of UAE revenue from relevant goods/services, or AED 500,000 and AED 5 million if revenue cannot be determined.
- Companies should build the mandatory 90-day review period into transaction schedules, recognizing that information could extend this timeline further.
- The new-turnover based threshold appears to apply to combined party revenues, potentially requiring notifications even when targets have no UAE revenue or where there is no competitive overlap in UAE markets.
UAE Launched Blue Visa: 10-Year Residency for Sustainability Leaders
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has announced the initiative of Blue Visa, a 10- year residency for those contributing to environmental sustainability, during the World Governments Summit 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- The first phase grants visas to 20 environmental thought leaders and innovators.
- Targets individuals with significant contributions to environmental protection, including organization members, corporate leaders, and researchers.
- Applications available directly through ICP or by nomination form UAE authorities.
- Program expands UAE’s residency options alongside Golden and Green Visas, supporting broader sustainability initiatives.
UAE Family Law Overhaul: New Rules Give Women More Rights, Children More Voice
The UAE has introduced its most significant personal status law update yet striking a balance between modernization and cultural values. Taking effect April 15, these comprehensive changes streamline legal processes while offering greater protections for women, children, and the elderly in matters of marriage, divorce, and family relationships.
Key Takeaways:
- The new law applies to Emiratis and Muslim expats, with nonMuslims having the option to follow it or their home country’s laws.
- Women gain more independence with non-Emirati Muslim women able to marry without a guardian if their home country permits it.
- The custody age has been standardized to 18 for all children, with those 15+ now able to choose which parent they want to live with.
- Tough penalties (Dh5,000-100,000) have been introduced for various offenses, including fraudulent inheritance claims and parental neglect.
