• Magazine Archive
  • Advertise With Us
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
Saturday, March 6, 2021
  • Login
Hotel News ME
  • Hotels
  • Catering
  • Reviews
  • Suppliers
  • People
  • Videos
  • Events
    • GM Leaders Conference
      • Conference 2020
    • Leaders in Hospitality Awards
      • Awards 2021
    • Leaders in F&B Awards
      • Awards 2019
    • The Big F&B Forum
      • Forum 2019
    • Executive Housekeepers Conference
  • Business Connect
No Result
View All Result
Hotel News ME
  • Hotels
  • Catering
  • Reviews
  • Suppliers
  • People
  • Videos
  • Events
    • GM Leaders Conference
      • Conference 2020
    • Leaders in Hospitality Awards
      • Awards 2021
    • Leaders in F&B Awards
      • Awards 2019
    • The Big F&B Forum
      • Forum 2019
    • Executive Housekeepers Conference
  • Business Connect
No Result
View All Result
Hotel News ME
No Result
View All Result
Home Catering

Industry must reward staff to retain

Dina Maaty by Dina Maaty
September 16, 2015
in Catering, News
A A

In order to solve the employment crisis in the UAE food and beverage industry operators must improve working conditions, flexibility and above all pay better salaries, according to a panel of industry experts speaking at the Catering News ME Big F&B Forum, held at the Ritz Carlton, JBR, yesterday.

Uwe Micheel, director of Kitchens at Radisson Blue Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, told a room of over 200 industry delegates: “Changing visa regulations and lobbying the government is not imperative as there simply isn’t the staff available, and that is because wages are toemploymento low to draw staff.”

Piers Burton, executive director of Eagles Spearing Consulting, said: “Properly paid staff are more likely to be retained, but they are so poorly payed in this market that they are easily poached by Kuwait and Qatar as they are trained. Elsewhere in the world junior staff earn more money with second jobs but that is not even entertained here.”

He added: “People that think they can’t afford to pay for the right staff probably won’t be in business for very long time.”

Paul Smith, ceo of Liwa Minor, said: “The key is train people well and to the standard that they can leave but treat them well so they don’t want to leave.

Uwe added: “Interest to join this industry is low. Low salaries and long hours make it disinteresting. People want more today.

“In countries where it works we have proper training and development and a pay structure. Through an agency here you don’t even know if you will get the same person a second time – and there is no loyalty. You may to train temporary staff and then never see them again.”

“F&B workers are seen as second class citizens here and so we need a change in mind set. If this industry is a pillar for Dubai then we need to find ways to make this work better,” said Paul.

He added: “We have got to look at what motivates the generation coming through. They want everything straight away no delay satisfaction. We need to make a career path clear and make it obvious how they can achieve it.

“Most important to provide quality experience to your customers and that boils down to your staff, but investment is often seen as cost here.”

Piers believes that hotel group and operators need to talk with Dubai Tourism Authority to affect change and make careers in the UAE. But Paul warned: “In approaching the government we have got to be very clear on what you want. Working with temporary staff is very convenient for filling in gaps but its not allowed here.

“We do need to start working as an industry to lobby government, to keep staff motivated we have to give them flexibility. The young don’t want full time work as they are educating at the same time.”

Uwe added: “We need to do more training if we want to attract young people. We have no problem getting the numbers but its the quality; here there are very few schools. The government could help but the biggest challenge is that there are very few Emiratis in the system so the government won’t put money in programs. The immediate issue is with causal work as there is not enough available and its poor quality.”

Tags: cateringDubaiemploymentfocusforum

Related Posts

The Middle Eastern Twist: ILA brings authentic eats to Dubai Creek
Catering

The Middle Eastern Twist: ILA brings authentic eats to Dubai Creek

March 5, 2021
Gulfood 2021: Invest Northern Ireland
Catering

Gulfood 2021: Invest Northern Ireland

March 4, 2021
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates receives global health verification badge
Hotels

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates receives global health verification badge

March 4, 2021
Please login to join discussion

Trending

Radisson Hotel Group to expand with 30 hotel openings across EMEA in 2021
Hotels

Radisson Hotel Group to expand with 30 hotel openings across EMEA in 2021

by Dina Maaty
March 3, 2021

Read more
Aloft Abu Dhabi teams up with Elli’s Kosher Kitchen to launch catering service
Hotels

Aloft Abu Dhabi teams up with Elli’s Kosher Kitchen to launch catering service

by Dina Maaty
February 21, 2021

Read more
Dubai cancels permits for Ramadan tents in 2021
Catering

Dubai cancels permits for Ramadan tents in 2021

by Dina Maaty
March 3, 2021

Read more

Digital Magazine

Hotel News ME

Copyright © 2021
BNC Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Hotels
  • Catering
  • Reviews
  • Suppliers
  • People
  • Videos
  • Events
    • GM Leaders Conference
      • Conference 2020
    • Leaders in Hospitality Awards
      • Awards 2021
    • Leaders in F&B Awards
      • Awards 2019
    • The Big F&B Forum
      • Forum 2019
    • Executive Housekeepers Conference
  • Business Connect

Copyright © 2021
BNC Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In