Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
To stay, or not to stay, that is the question facing many expats hit by the global economic crisis.
According to the latest research 36 per cent of expatriate workers across the Middle East see no reason to leave their country of residence during the current conditions, despite the economic crisis being widely represented as particularly damaging to expatriate communities.
The polls also revealed however, that 28 per cent feel they may have no choice but to return home as a result of the current conditions, while 15 per cent said they would prefer to make the move back home.
Interestingly, 21 per cent said instead of going back to their country of origin, they would consider moving to a new country, as an expatriate.
The 'reactions to economic conditions' online poll series conducted by Bayt.com sought to gauge how employees feel that the current economic turmoil is affecting them - in terms of work and finances, and their opinions on the likely longevity of the crisis in their country of residence.
According to the poll results, the economic crisis is having a positive effect on some residents in terms of their savings. A total of 69 per cent said they were saving more money, of which 37 per cent said they were saving considerably more - most likely as a reaction to safeguard their or their family's finances, in case of worsening financial turmoil or further economic instability.
Unlike previous polls which suggested employees would like to move jobs relatively quickly, the latest data suggested that employees are more willing to stay put, perhaps given the instability.
Thirty per cent said they would stay for more than 36 months, compared to 22 per cent who said they would consider moving in the next three months. Additionally, 15 per cent saw themselves staying at their present job for six to 12 months.
