Socio economic Challenges for Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates A Case Study of Indian Expatriates

Abstract

Expatriation from India and the socio-economic challenges faced by Indian newlineexpatriates in host countries is an area less researched, and one which solicits policy newlineattention too. The present research study focuses on the Indian expatriates in the newlineUnited Arab Emirates (UAE). It studies the framework within which an Indian newlineexpatriate works in the UAE. This study thus determines the causes of labour newlinemigration from India to the UAE and investigates the process of expatriation of newlineIndian expatriates to the UAE. It also investigates the socio-economic challenges newlinefaced by the Indian expatriates in the UAE. In fact, the challenges faced by the newlineexpatriates have been seen in this research both from the practical aspects as well newlinefrom the policy aspects. In case of practice, it is related to the multicultural contexts newlineand international human resource management practices, while as a matter of policy, newlineit relates to national labour laws and conventions like that of International Labour newlineOrganisation (ILO). Both these aspects have been analysed in the present research. newlineThe objectives of this study have been the following: to study the causes of labour newlinemigration from India to the UAE and assess it within relevant theoretical newlineframeworks; to analyse the process of expatriation of Indian workers from India to newlinethe UAE; to examine ILO s conventions and in this light assess the challenges faced newlineby Indian expatriates in the UAE; to analyse expatriate management practices in the newlineUAE and decipher cross-cultural training needs for Indian expatriates; and, to newlinesuggest policy measures for adopting best cross-cultural practices for expatriate newlinemanagement in the UAE. newlineIn order to meet the objectives of the study, both qualitative and quantitative newlineresearch methods have been used. Considering the objectives of this research, a newlinemulti-pronged approach has been adopted to carry out the research which newlineencompasses primary survey, case studies and interviews with stakeholders. This newlinehas been done through secondary data research as well as through primary (