INTERNATIONAL Middle East: Repatriates joining recovery, says ReThink
2 October 2012
Iraq and Afghanistan are increasingly trying to reduce their reliance on Western expats and repatriate skilled nationals working overseas, according to technology staffing company ReThink Recruitment.
Tue, 2 Oct 2012
Iraq and Afghanistan are increasingly trying to reduce their reliance on Western expats and repatriate skilled nationals working overseas, according to technology staffing company ReThink Recruitment.
As economic recovery gets underway, ReThink reports that these returning nationals, in particular in the oil & gas, telecoms, engineering, technology, defence and security sectors, are being offered generous compensation packages, in most cases on par with the expats, who would have previously held the positions.Gavin Smith, regional director MEA at ReThink, says: “Returning nationals tend to offer a more stable staffing solution for businesses, taking long-term contracts or permanent positions. Reducing the churn of staff by reducing the use of Western professionals on short-term contracts is a key target of many HR departments.”
He adds: “While salaries for returners are just as high as for expats, employers benefit because they don’t have to deal with additional expat costs, such as flight and accommodation expenses, additional holiday allowances or so-called ‘hardship pay’.
“Businesses are typically saving around 30 to 40% by hiring a returner over an expat, even when giving them the same basic remuneration packages.”
The benefits are not just financial, however, with Smith also noting: “Not only do returning nationals tend to remain in the post for longer, but they are far better at transferring skills to their colleagues than expat workers from the UK.”
As Recruiter reported last week, in the face of recent protests over the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ which have rumbled on across the Muslim world over the last few weeks, recruiters remained relatively unperturbed and determined to get on with business, while internationally mobile candidates are taking things in their stride.
Iraq and Afghanistan are increasingly trying to reduce their reliance on Western expats and repatriate skilled nationals working overseas, according to technology staffing company ReThink Recruitment.
As economic recovery gets underway, ReThink reports that these returning nationals, in particular in the oil & gas, telecoms, engineering, technology, defence and security sectors, are being offered generous compensation packages, in most cases on par with the expats, who would have previously held the positions.Gavin Smith, regional director MEA at ReThink, says: “Returning nationals tend to offer a more stable staffing solution for businesses, taking long-term contracts or permanent positions. Reducing the churn of staff by reducing the use of Western professionals on short-term contracts is a key target of many HR departments.”
He adds: “While salaries for returners are just as high as for expats, employers benefit because they don’t have to deal with additional expat costs, such as flight and accommodation expenses, additional holiday allowances or so-called ‘hardship pay’.
“Businesses are typically saving around 30 to 40% by hiring a returner over an expat, even when giving them the same basic remuneration packages.”
The benefits are not just financial, however, with Smith also noting: “Not only do returning nationals tend to remain in the post for longer, but they are far better at transferring skills to their colleagues than expat workers from the UK.”
As Recruiter reported last week, in the face of recent protests over the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ which have rumbled on across the Muslim world over the last few weeks, recruiters remained relatively unperturbed and determined to get on with business, while internationally mobile candidates are taking things in their stride.
