Today's Edition
SAMI ABDEL RAOUF (DUBAI)
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council announced that the private sector Emiratisation strategy has achieved exceptional results, with around 36,000 citizens joining the private sector workforce since the beginning of 2023.
In response to inquiries from Aletihad, the Council said that this year has also witnessed a significant increase in the number of citizens registered in the "Nafis" programme that have gained private sector employment. Over 86,000 citizens work in the private sector, 57,000 of whom joined the workforce after the launch of "Nafis" in September 2021, and around 18,000 companies currently employ citizens.
According to the Council, "Nafis" participants have received a total Dh3.9 billion in payments, and there are now 63,000 citizen beneficiaries enrolled in the Council's monthly financial support programmes. The Council also noted the success of the UAE-hosted 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), and praised the country's ambitious efforts to ensure a successful and sustainable professional future for citizens, reflecting the country's leadership in climate action and sustainable development.
As part of its sustainable development efforts, the Council said that it has formulated ambitious plans to ensure a sustainable future for the country's private sector by unifying government efforts and unlimited support from the leadership through the 'Nafis' programme.
The Council, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, is working to implement a leading strategic plan to preserve job sustainability for the next generations of citizem graduates and job seekers, by harnessing a Dh24 billion budget provided by the wise leadership to enable citizens to take up private sector employment. According to the Council, training programmes are critical for developing skills that are needed in the labour market.
Since the launch of "Nafis" in September 2021, the Council has accomplished a notable 70% increase in citizens employed in the private sector in 2022 as compared to 2021, which the Council described as a "clear indicator" of the positive public perception of the benefits of private sector employment.
To further its achievements, the Council has intensified its efforts to ensure a sustainable future for citizens' private sector employment through a number of strategic initiatives that support the "Nafis" programme, such as the annual Nafis Award, Nafis Leadership Programme, Nafis Youth Council, Nafis "Your Way" campaign, and other efforts to raise awareness of the importance and of citizen contributions to economic development.
The Council said that it is expecting 170,000 citizens to gain private sector employment through the "Nafis" programme by 2026, describing the programme as a fundamental enabler of government plans adopted by the leadership within the "Projects of the 50" strategy. The council implements the "Nafis" programme with three distinct objectives, including preparing citizens for private sector work, making the private sector more attractive to citizens, and bringing the community's attention to the importance of the private sector for national economic development. Other important government enablers of Emiratisation include the 2% target for citizen jobs in the private sector, with the goal of increasing this figure annually until it reaches 10% in 2026, the Council pointed out.
The Council works with two initiatives and subsidiary programmes within the "Nafis" programme. The first is responsible for financial support through supporting citizens' salaries, allowances for children of private sector employees, pension fund subscriptions, and temporary support in cases of job loss.
The second package is used for training and qualifying citizens through programmes, trainings, professional guidance, with a specific focus on training medical and health sector professionals.
The Council stressed that it is continuously working to build strategic partnerships within the public and private sector in order to ensure the sustainability of these job opportunities for citizens, whether in terms of employment, training, improving the quality of professional and personal life, or providing exclusive benefits to citizens working in the the private sector.
The Council's objectives align with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, especially the goal of promoting sustainable economic growth and providing decent work for all. Through the 'Nafis' programme, the Council contributes to enhancing the country's. private sector ecosystem and removing all obstacles to help citizens benefit from promising professional opportunities within the private sector, contributing to the nation's development journey.
