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Mercer offers flexible benefits solutions developed specifically for organizations in growing economies, enabling employers to effectively manage benefit costs while allowing employees to choose the coverage and benefits that best suit their individual needs.
According to our recent spot poll of more than 65 companies, 40% of organizations have or are planning to implement flexible benefits programs in the Middle East with 58% of participating companies being interested but waiting to see how the market evolves. The priority locations for implementation of flexible programs were Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. The largest single reason driving the implementation of a flexible program is to meet the needs of a diverse workforce.
The two biggest perceived challenges around flexible benefits in the region are related to the lack of robust data on policies and practices and the ongoing administration of the policies. However, if those could be overcome the majority of companies surveyed would want to establish flexible programs that included: annual leave, medical plans, retirement savings, educational allowances, home leave and gym or sports club memberships
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