SAMI ABDUL RAOUF (DUBAI)

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed that the upcoming Sunday, December 31, is the final deadline to meet the annual Emiratisation targets.

The Ministry announced that the total planned Emiratisation rate for this year is 2%, based on the ratio of employed citizens to the total skilled workforce in a facility. This equals hiring at least one citizen for every 50 skilled workers annually during the implementation of the Emiratisation policy, aiming for a 10% increase in the Emiratisation rate by 2026.

The Ministry emphasised that this initiative aligns with existing Emiratisation policies and decisions, stressing that companies’ adherence to their annual targets would be monitored, with fines imposed on those failing to meet the required Emiratisation ratios.

MoHRE urged private sector companies employing 50 or more staff to expedite their achievement of the 2023 Emiratisation targets before the end of December. The MoHRE suggested that companies yet to fulfil their commitments could utilise the Nafis platform, which offers a pool of qualified citizens seeking employment in various sectors.

The Nafis programme supports citizens entering the private sector, offering them empowerment and government backing. The MoHRE cautioned against attempts to evade Emiratisation targets or nominally employing citizens, warning that such malpractices would be strictly dealt with in accordance with the law.

The Ministry’s monitoring system has identified 916 companies that hired 1,411 citizens for violating Emiratisation policies by either evading targets or showing nominal Emiratisation between the second half of 2022 and now.

The MoHRE also acknowledged over 18,000 companies’ commitment to employing citizens, contributing to an unprecedented increase in citizens joining the private sector, with approximately 88,000 citizens now employed.

The Ministry also highlighted the perks for companies joining the Emiratisation Partners Club, including reduced Ministry fees, priority in government procurement, and benefits from the Nafis programme, all contributing to business growth and leadership.

The estimated financial penalty for non-compliance is Dh84,000 per citizen not employed at targeted facilities in 2023, equalling Dh7,000 monthly. This amount will progressively increase by Dh1,000 annually until 2026. In 2022, the penalty was Dh72,000 per citizen not employed, equivalent to Dh6,000 monthly.

The Ministry expressed confidence in the existing employment localisation mechanism, emphasising its role in maintaining citizen employment and retention rates in the private sector. Vacancies are continually posted on the Nafis platform, aligning with the rate of job seekers registering on the platform.

The Ministry said: “Compliance with labour market regulations serves the interests of both private sector companies and their employees. Localisation is supported through job expansion for citizens within the private sector and building a safety net for their professional journey.”

The MoHRE reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the private sector in developing the labour market, achieving state objectives, and enhancing the business environment, thus creating an investment-friendly climate in the UAE, especially in strategic priority sectors.