LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- The Gulf may still be booming but inflation - and skyrocketing prices - is making life tough for the workforce . Working in the Gulf is less profitable for expatriate workers because of inflation . Many expats initially drawn by the region 's tax-free salaries and high standard of living are now feeling the effects of inflation in high rent and living costs . All this is making work in Dubai , Qatar and the surrounding countries a less attractive proposition than it was a few years ago . `` The working population here is growing restless and the reasons are obvious , '' said David Westley , Editorial Director at ArabianBusiness.com . `` Inflation has become a real issue across the region ... salaries have risen but they have n't risen as fast as inflation , which in real terms means you 've had a pay cut , '' he continued . This means workers are finding it harder to save money and are experiencing a decrease in their standard of living . Add to that a lack of key social infrastructure like schools and some of the major incentives for people to stay in the region are disappearing . ArabianBusiness.com recently conducted an online survey which found that more than two thirds of workers who responded were more inclined to look for another job this year than in 2007 . With the Gulf 's economic explosion largely dependent on a combination of skilled and unskilled expatriates -- 20 percent of the workforce in some parts of the region -- there is the added worry that increasingly dissatisfied workers could start looking for jobs in other parts of the world . A lack of indigenous workers who can lead the complex infrastructure projects currently being undertaken in the Gulf is already a problem , and a mass exodus of disenchanted expatriates would have serious knock on effects for business in the region . The problems of inflation and keeping experienced workers in the region are intimately connected , according to Richard Thompson , Editor of the Middle East Economic Digest . `` Probably the top two issues for the Gulf at the moment are a skills shortage and inflation and they 're two sides of the same coin . The economy has grown too fast ... and that has delivered inflation . The other aspect of that growth is the need to bring in and recruit skills to deliver infrastructure projects , '' he said . And tougher conditions also mean that it could be harder to continue attracting workers from other parts of the world to the region . But workers in the Gulf are not completely motivated by financial concerns , according the the ArabianBusiness.com survey . It found that while salary is an extremely important motivating factor for employees -- 33 percent of survey respondents said money was their key concern -- it is not the only consideration . For the majority of workers , opportunities for promotion -- which remain a strong incentive in the Gulf 's vibrant market -- are the single most important condition for staying in a job , according to Wetly . `` One of the things [ companies ] should try to do is to encourage an environment where you think you can get somewhere . That way you do n't have to rely on just handing out the money to get people to stay in your organization , '' he said . Pressure is also mounting on governments to find solutions to inflation . `` If governments depend on expats , then how are you going to train and recruit and develop the local work force ? So there is a dichotomy for governments here they have to think for the long term to keep the boom growing , '' said Thompson . There are a number of initiatives being talked about , ranging from proposals to set a minimum wage to governments setting rent caps on property prices . `` We 're beginning to hear an increasing amount of businesses calling for a more managed approach to the economic boom particularly on the implementation of infrastructure projects , '' Thompson explained . `` Growing economies such as Abu Dhabi are learning from Dubai 's mistakes and looking to a much more structured , strategic approach to development , '' he continued . Wetly believes many of the region 's problems are short to medium term -- like expensive housing which will resolve itself by 2010 when more accommodation comes onto the market quenching demand and therefore reducing prices . He is convinced huge growth and an exciting environment will continue to bring expatriate workers to the Gulf . `` Walk around ... Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Doha , Qatar and you find these cities buzzing and for many people that is the most important thing , so I think you will always find people coming here , '' said Westley , `` This region needs expatriate workers just as much as expatriate workers need this market . And I think that 's ultimately the truth . '' E-mail to a friend .
Inflation and skyrocketing prices in Gulf making life tough for workers . A survey found two thirds of workers may look for another job in 2008 . A mass exodus of expatriate workers would have a serious effect on business . Pressure is mounting on Gulf governments to find solutions .