Emiratisation: MoHRE urges companies to meet 2023 targets

Image courtesy: JohnnyGreig/ Getty Images

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has reminded private sector companies employing 50 or more workers to expedite their efforts to meet Emiratisation targets for 2023 before December 31 to avoid facing penalties.

These private sector establishments are required to register a 2 per cent annual growth rate in Emiratis working in skilled jobs before the end of December. MoHRE warned that companies that fail to comply with Emiratisation will be required to pay fines from January 2024.

The ministry also cautioned companies against attempts to evade Emiratisation targets or create bogus roles.

“Companies that have yet to meet their commitments can benefit from the Nafis platform, which provides access to a considerable pool of qualified UAE citizens specialised in various sectors, to fill their vacant positions,” MoHRE said in a statement

The ministry said as many as 916 companies have been caught violating rules around Emiratisation requirements since mid-2022. Violations range from attempts to circumvent Emiratisation targets, and bogus posts created to inflate numbers.

These private sector companies have hired a total of 1,411 UAE nationals.

MoHRE lauded more than 18,000 companies that are contributing to the “unprecedented growth” in the number of UAE citizens working in the private sector. Over 88,000 Emiratis are currently working in different roles across the country.

The ministry highlighted the benefits and privileges granted to companies joining the Emiratisation Partners Club. These include up to 80 percent reduction in MoHRE’s service fees, priority in the government procurement system, and access to benefits from the Nafis programme.

“These benefits, among others, help meet their business growth requirements and ensure their excellence,” said MoHRE.

Emiratisation non-compliance fines

Meanwhile, the fines for not meeting Emiratisation targets increase by Dhs1,000 per month per Emirati not hired annually.

The penalty was Dhs6,000 last year per month per Emirati, and this year, it’s Dh7,000. For 2023, companies that have not met targets are looking at an annual fine of Dhs84,000 per unemployed citizen.

MoHRE fined 565 companies in August for hiring 824 UAE nationals in fake jobs since mid-last year. Faking Emiratisation is a violation of the government’s objectives and the regulations of the Nafis programme.

The ministry also recovered more than Dhs2.32m ($632,000) in financial support from 107 Emirati beneficiaries of the Nafis programme who accepted fake jobs in the private sector.

The programme is aimed at enhancing the UAE’s human development system, establishing productive and sustainable Emirati human capital in the private sector, and empowering UAE citizens to make effective contributions to the job market.

Read: UAE visa: MoHRE, MOE introduce new private teacher work permit