Despite the economic slowdown, globalisation is stimulating the growth of expatriate employment internationally, with South African companies also getting in on the act as they seek to grow their footprint in the rest of Africa and other areas.

South African companies, particularly in the banking, retail, construction and telecommunications sectors, are sending their staff to various destinations to grow their international operations.

"Expatriates are not a dying breed.

"They are still very much part of the business strategies of many companies seeking to expand their activities beyond their homes bases," said Siobhan Cummins, MD for Europe, the Middle East and Africa of ORC Worldwide.

She is a leading world consultant in expatriate pay and working conditions, with a working association with Johannesburg-based management consultant firm P-E Corporate Services.

Transfer skills to local staff

"Importantly, many multinationals are using expatriate staff to transfer skills to local staff, especially in emerging markets, and to leave a legacy that benefits the company and the country," said Cummins last week.

Expatriate assignment types and terms had changed recently with companies now sending staff on shorter-term projects and assignments lasting from one to three years, rather than much longer foreign postings that used to be the norm, she said.

Another change was that companies were paring down the assignment package and no longer paying large tax-free gratuities, sometimes 25 percent-35 percent of total pay, on completion of an assignment. Overall, companies were focusing on cost reduction while still trying to make the assignment package attractive to employees.

Mark Goulding, leader of human capital at Ernst & Young, said the economic slowdown had contributed to expatriates losing their jobs in some areas, such as Dubai and Malaysia.

1500 visas a day cancelled

According to recent reports, more than 1500 visas a day in Dubai were being cancelled.

The country has about 3.6 million expatriates and only 864 000 nationals.

The recession had reportedly resulted in a 25 percent reduction in luxury spending by expatriates in Dubai.

Goulding said countries such as SA and other African countries should "welcome" their own workers back to their home countries.

There were plenty of opportunities in the market for these expatriates, particularly in sectors such as construction and engineering, he said.

There were also opportunities for lawyers and those in commerce, he said. Companies should ensure they were able to retain these skilled staff in the future, Goulding said.

Business Day