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MENA Survey Investigates Employee Loyalty And Satisfaction
Research revealed 81% of the workforce are highly engaged and 68% take pride in their company’s products and services.
In a recent survey by leading job site Bayt.com and YouGov, the driving factors contributing to employee loyalty in the MENA region were identified, along with actions that could potentially enhance or undermine it.
In the survey, 55% of participants reported having been with their current employer for over four years. This stability appears to parallel workplace satisfaction, with nearly 60% of employees indicating satisfaction with their current employers. Meanwhile, 33% of employees categorize themselves as “very loyal” to their organizations, with an additional 23% feeling “somewhat loyal”.
The survey also found that the vast majority of workers (81%) were highly engaged with their jobs, indicating a deep immersion in day-to-day company activities.
In terms of factors contributing to overall loyalty, the survey reports that salary satisfaction stands out as a critical aspect for 54% of respondents, closely followed by employee job fit at 36% and additional company benefits at 32%.
According to the survey, employers should focus on increased recognition and rewards to boost staff loyalty (cited by 60%). Opportunities for growth were identified by 52% of respondents, and the facilitation of regular discussion forums to address employee grievances was emphasized by 50%.
Regarding factors that could potentially detract from employee loyalty, neglecting staff suggestions had a significant impact (56% agreed). Heavy workloads or unequal distribution of responsibilities were cited by 54% of respondents as a problem, while poor communication from direct managers was also a major source of dissatisfaction (51% agreed).
Also Read: The Most AI-Proof Career Opportunities In The Middle East
Ola Haddad, General Manager at Bayt.com explained the importance of the research, saying: “Understanding and nurturing employee loyalty is critical in navigating the dynamic landscapes of the MENA workforce. Our survey reveals a powerful correlation between trust in leadership and employee allegiance”.
Zafar Shah, Account Director at YouGov added: “As the data suggests, employees who feel valued through fair compensation, job fit, and career opportunities are more inclined to feel more engaged in their workplace and speak about their companies’ products and services passionately. It is this sense of belonging and purpose that distinguishes highly loyal employees from the rest”.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.