Almost overnight, the job market in Abu Dhabi has changed from one where employers have the upper hand to one where that has now passed to the employees, with all the challenges that this situation ultimately brings. Well, at the macrolevel anyway, even if it may not seem like that to many employees.

Employees faced with sky-rocketing rents and spiralling inflation are looking for alternative employment which will provide higher remuneration, whether it be in Abu Dhabi the other Gulf States or any other Hot Spots of activity worldwide. Many quality staff are being poached or head-hunted, to the point where some employers are starting to tear out their hair with worry.

With a recent survey having suggested that office rents in Abu Dhabi are now rising faster than anywhere else in the world, having doubled over the last year, it's not a good time to be an employer who needs to rent office space - and that applies to all but the larger Emirati firms. With so many rising costs, as well as the price of materials, it is very difficult to keep within initial budgets or future forecasts.

The challenge for employers trying to hang on to their employees is not helped by the expansion of the Indian economy. Many skilled people who have traditionally been the backbone of the workforce in Abu Dhabi are now returning home, having been offered the same salaries they receive here, or more.

One interesting side effect is that experienced people of 60 years or more of age, above the official retirement age, are now being welcomed by employers with open arms, particularly in the oil and gas and construction industries, a complete change from the situation a few years ago.

These candidates are available with a lifetime of experience and acquired skills and do not, in general, demand the same compensation package that a younger candidate might demand, taking into account the necessary expenditure on children's education, larger accommodation and so on.

Never before have HR professionals been so much in demand. Large organisations whose Human Resource Departments have been a bit of a mishmash in the past and who are just waking up to the new reality must feel as though they have shot themselves in the foot.

As far as the recruitment industry is concerned it is not an easy ride, either.

Here at ABC, the market seems to be pushing our organisation more and more towards "Headhunting" which, of course, means a higher cost to our clients ...Ouch !

We are in interesting times as Abu Dhabi's economy continues its rapid growth - but then all of us in business here know that already!

Christine Bond is Managing Partner of ABC Recruitment