Navigating Precarity: Freelancers in Dubai’s Creative Economy

The push for economic diversification among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led to a massive investment in the creative sector and an influx of temporary creative labour to the Gulf region. This research, based on interviews with ten freelancers in Dubai Media City, examines how freelancers navigate precarity as both an enabler and a hindrance: While temporary work creates uncertainties, the benefits of living in the UAE, for many freelancers, seem to outweigh these challenges, particularly compared to conditions in their home countries. The research participants provide a narrative strongly reinforced by regional perceptions and the allure of cities like Dubai as symbols of success. The findings present a nuanced view of the challenges encountered by creative workers in the UAE while showing how they interpret their presence in the UAE as a reflection of their success. This study adds to the gig economy literature by focusing on worker agency, showing how freelancers negotiate the structural barriers in their work.