Although the number of workers in the UAE has increased by 11 per cent to 2.9 million over the past year, contractors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi still struggle to secure sufficient labour and staff for their projects.

Index of all stories in the labour relations special report

• Labour law: Gulf countries follow Dubai’s lead
  As part of its tough stance on labour issues, Dubai’s Labour Ministry is planning to launch a revamped labour law that aims to improve working conditions, healthy and safety, and radically reform the way labour is recruited through co-operation with the workers’ home countries.

• Gulf states working towards a diplomatic solution on workers’ rights
  At a recent meeting of the GCC states, the six member governments collectively agreed to improve the working conditions of migrant workers employed in the Gulf.

• Building boom puts spotlight on safety
  The plight of construction workers is drawing international attention, but change will take time.

• Rising labour and raw materials costs hit profits
  Contractors’ profit margins are under pressure as labour and raw materials costs rise, driven by demand for higher quality.

• Saudi faces cement glut
  Fears of a cement shortage are leading to a production boost in Saudi Arabia that could outstrip demand.

• Saudi Arabian investors turn to property
  The stock market collapse over the past 18 months has given a further boost tot he already booming Saudi real estate market.

• Case study: Durrat Arriyadh - Delivering innovation
  The SR 3,000 million Durrat Arriyadh housing project aims to set an example for other developers.

• System holds Algiers back
  Ingrained bureaucracy and strong global demand for limited resources have left Algeria struggling to keep up with its peers.

• Chinese fill construction gap in Algeria
  China’s state-owned companies are dominating a market overlooked by other contractors.