Nearly four in 10 GCC employers are increasing their use of temporary and contract workers, with project-based demand emerging as the main reason, according to new Hays research.
Contract hiring gains momentum across the GCC
Employers across the Gulf are increasingly using contract professionals to access specialist skills and complete projects without expanding permanent staff numbers.
LinkedIn polls conducted by recruitment firm Hays found that 38% of organisations are using more contract or temporary workers than they did two years ago.
The survey covered professionals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, highlighting a growing shift towards flexible workforce arrangements.
A further 26% said their organisation’s use of contract workers had remained unchanged, while 21% reported a decline.
Project demand drives temporary hiring
The main reason employers are turning to contract workers is the need to manage project-based demand.
Among 1,323 respondents, 43% identified project requirements as the primary reason their organisations hire temporary professionals.
Another 32% cited workforce flexibility, while 15% said reducing compliance and risk was the main reason. The remaining 10% pointed to finding the right fit.
The findings suggest that businesses are increasingly looking for specialist skills that may only be required for specific projects or limited periods.
Ryan Tagg, Senior Director at Hays Middle East, said: “When businesses need extra expertise or support for a project, hiring temporary professionals can be a fast and flexible solution.”
He added: “What’s particularly interesting is that project demand emerged as the strongest driver in our recent poll. That suggests organisations are thinking less about workforce size and more about workforce capability. They want access to expertise when they need it, without necessarily committing to permanent headcount growth.”
Employers increasingly adopt blended workforces
The research also points to a growing preference for combining permanent employees with temporary specialists.
Nearly a third of respondents identified flexibility as the main reason for using contract workers, allowing businesses to adjust staffing levels according to project requirements and changing priorities.
Tagg said: “The traditional distinction between permanent and temporary hiring is becoming less clear. Organisations are now building blended workforces that combine permanent employees with temporary specialists, enabling them to access skills more efficiently while remaining agile.”
What the GCC hiring figures show
The findings are based on two Hays LinkedIn polls targeting professionals across the six GCC countries.
The first poll received 1,636 responses and examined changes in the use of temporary workers over two years. The second received 1,323 responses and explored the reasons behind contract hiring.
The results highlight the growing role of temporary professionals in helping organisations access specialist expertise, manage project workloads and maintain workforce flexibility.
