UAE firms ramp up temporary hiring as project work grows
More UAE and Gulf employers are using temporary staff for projects, Hays says. For workers, it points to more contract openings and a bigger focus on specialist skills.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
UAE temporary jobs are becoming more common, with 38% of organisations across the UAE and other Gulf countries saying they use more contract staff than 2 years ago, according to new research from recruitment firm Hays published on Friday, October 30. For employees and job seekers, that suggests more openings linked to specific projects, especially where employers want specialist skills without increasing permanent headcount.
The findings come from 2 LinkedIn polls run by Hays. They point to a hiring market where project work is shaping demand more than long-term team expansion.
UAE temporary hiring is rising, Hays says
In the first poll, 1,636 people responded.
Hays found that:
- 38% said their organisation is using more contract staff than before
- 26% said usage is about the same
- 21% said usage has fallen
- 16% said their organisation does not use contract staff
That means the biggest single group reported an increase in contract hiring. It does not show that every employer is moving in the same direction, but it does show stronger use of temporary staff across a large share of organisations.
For workers, this matters because contract roles can open doors to new employers, new sectors and short-term income, even when a company is not adding permanent jobs.
Why employers are using contract workers in the UAE and GCC
The second LinkedIn poll drew 1,323 responses and asked employers why they use contract workers.
Here is what they said:
| Main reason for using contractors | Share |
|---|---|
| Managing project-based demand | 43% |
| Greater workforce flexibility | 32% |
| Reducing compliance and risk | 15% |
| Finding the right fit | 10% |
According to Hays, the results suggest employers are bringing in contractors mainly to deliver projects, rather than to deal with compliance or risk.
Ryan Tagg, senior director at Hays Middle East, said temporary professionals give businesses a fast and flexible way to bring in extra expertise or support for a project. He said the strong result for project demand shows organisations are thinking more about workforce capability and access to skills when needed, rather than simply growing permanent headcount.
That fits with wider hiring signals around skills. If you are applying for roles, it helps to show both technical ability and clear communication, as we covered in Communication Tops UAE Employers' Wish List as Human Skills Lead Hiring.
What UAE temporary hiring means for employees and job seekers
Hays said the shift is happening as employers across the region push ahead with growth plans, technology investment and changing skills needs. Many projects need specialist expertise for a defined period, which makes contract hiring attractive to both companies and professionals.
Tagg also said the line between permanent and temporary hiring is becoming less clear. In his view, organisations are building blended workforces, mixing permanent employees with temporary specialists so they can access skills more efficiently and stay flexible.
For residents, that can mean:
- more roles tied to a project rather than a long-term headcount plan
- more demand for specialist expertise that can be used quickly
- more teams that combine permanent staff and temporary workers
If you want to improve your chances, focus your CV on projects you have delivered, the skills you used and the results you helped achieve. It is also worth being selective about which courses you take, especially if you are trying to match short-term market demand, as explained in Stop Chasing Every Skill Trend: How UAE Professionals Should Pick Courses.
How to respond to the rise in UAE temporary jobs
If you are job hunting, this trend is a practical reminder to widen your search.
A few sensible steps are:
- look for roles described as contract, temporary or project-based
- move project work higher up your CV, instead of burying it in older experience
- show where you brought specialist expertise to a defined business need
- stay open to contract roles, even if your long-term goal is a permanent job
- check the latest openings on JobXDubai Jobs
This does not mean permanent jobs are disappearing. But it does mean some employers now want quicker access to skills for a specific piece of work, and job seekers who present themselves that way may have an advantage.
Key takeaway
Hays says 38% of organisations across the UAE and Gulf are using more contract staff than they were 2 years ago, with project demand the top reason at 43%. For workers, the message is clear: project-based, specialist and temporary roles are becoming a bigger part of the hiring mix.
FAQ
Are UAE companies hiring more temporary workers in 2026?
According to Hays, 38% of organisations across the UAE and other Gulf countries are using more contract staff than they did 2 years ago. That was the largest group in its first LinkedIn poll.
Why are employers using contract workers?
In Hays' second poll, 43% said managing project-based demand was the main reason. Another 32% said flexibility was the main driver.
How many employers said contract hiring stayed the same?
In the first poll of 1,636 respondents, 26% said their organisation's use of contract staff was about the same. Another 21% said it had fallen, while 16% said they do not use contract staff.
Does this mean permanent jobs are falling?
The research does not say that. It says employers are increasingly using blended workforces, combining permanent employees with temporary specialists.
What should job seekers highlight for temporary roles?
The Hays findings point to demand for expertise linked to projects and changing skills needs. That means candidates should make relevant project experience and specialist capability easy to spot.
Further reading
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