DOHA: The number of jobs being advertised in Qatar has plummeted by an average of 20 percent each month since the start of 2017, according to a recruitment agency.
Monster.com reported that its Monster Middle East Employment Index (MEI) indicated a steady decline in employment opportunities being advertised in Qatar since January.
The month-on-month drop between January and June has averaged 20 percent, with some months dropping to 21 percent and others hovering at 17 percent, Monster.com said.
The index also suggests the diplomatic dispute between Qatar and GCC allies including the UAE and Saudi Arabia has had an impact on the Qatari job market.
The number of jobs advertised in Qatar has dropped 13 percent compared to four weeks ago before the feud erupted, Monster.com said.
Sanjay Modi, managing director, APAC (Asia Pacific) and Middle East at Monster.com, said: “Over the last few months, the Monster Middle East Employment Index (MEI) has indicated a steady decline in employment opportunities.
“The recently imposed restrictions on trade and travel to Qatar brought in by UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and other countries are beginning to affect employment even more. Qatar’s economy relies on a large expatriate workforce and the longer that the restrictions continue, the more expatriates will consider their options.”
