The Rise of the Freelancer: Dubai Steps Up

Although the workplace has consistently proven itself capable of gradual evolutions, there is no doubt that the events of 2020 have been a catalyst for significant and lasting change. Companies and individuals around the world had to contend with unprecedented circumstances, financial hardships and empty offices. The imposed realities of remote working forced many organisations to confront their internal strategies and how best to manage their resources.  Many employees found themselves out of work or on reduced hours and turned to the possibilities of freelance contracts. All of this meant that whilst freelancing had been steadily on the increase in recent years, its rapid accension in 2020 has been profound. We take a look at the rise of the freelancer, the benefits of adapting the way we work and how Dubai has embraced this trend of the future.

The Value of Freelancing

As it happens, freelancing can be very beneficial for individuals, companies and the overall economy. For individuals switching to a more flexible lifestyle of self-employment or independent contracting can allow for a better work life balance and an increased income. For companies outsourcing aspects of their business to freelancers can reduce costs, bolster creativity and provide budget-friendly access to talented assets. In terms of the economy, an increase in freelancers in the workplace can promote overall growth, according to US economics professor Stephan Goetz,“a higher share of self-employed workers in a county was unambiguously associated with greater resilience“.

A Lasting Change

Since 2020 had such a huge impact on people’s perception of the traditional stability of the workplace, it is no wonder that we are seeing such a large rise in self-employment avenues. This has been mirrored by the recognition of their value to organisations, particularly in industries like accounting, HR, computing and marketing. Given the advancements in technology that have transformed the capabilities of remote working and the upside of accessing a wider variety of resources, the freelance shift is likely here to stay. That is further enhanced by the fact that the trend towards freelance work is particularly high amongst the younger generations “with 50% of Gen-Z and 44% of Millennials” opting for more flexibility and control over their careers.  If you needed any more proof that the future will be a lot more freelance, more and more investors are championing the development of sites that connect individuals with projects across the globe including Upwork and Fiverr (US), Worksome and Workstable (Denmark), Outsized (Sweden and UK) and Folq (Norway).

Dubai and the Freelancer      

Unsurprisingly, Dubai and the UAE, were amongst the first to notice the need for options in the marketplace and have made stimulating entrepreneurship, creativity, freelancing and SMEs a central part of their economic vision.   The government has initiated a series of programmes and incentives to drive growth in the freelancing sector including lower license fees, entrepreneurial visas, virtual trade channels and a remote working visa. As well as offering a tax-free and innovation-led environment, the enviable lifestyle of the UAE has been increased by recent, and on-going, legal improvements concerning civil, social and financial laws. These steps are intended to contribute to the UAE’s position as a key global hub for investment and progress; and they are welcome news to those who see the value in a new way of working.

If you are interested in sourcing freelancers in your organization or want to find out more about the Remote Working Visa, get in touch with one of our expert team today on info@eerme.com or +971 44211819.