The UAE Cabinet has recently announced it will impose fines on private sector firms that do not meet the newly enhanced Emiratisation criteria while at the same time offering incentives to firms that do meet the criteria. From January 2023, non-compliant firms will be fined AED 600 per month for ever citizen that has not been employed based on the increased Emiratisation rate of 2% for high-skilled jobs in firms that employ 50 workers or more.
The new set of resolutions aim to increase the competitiveness of the local workforce and facilitate the recruitment of UAE citizens as they expect to create more than 12,000 job opportunities annually across various sectors. Those that do meet the enhanced criteria and make achievements in employing and training Emirati citizens will receive incentives such as a reduction in the Ministry of Human resources and Emiratisation service fees of 80%.
The resolutions have been created in line with the aims of Nafis, the federal program that works to promote the private sector employment of Emirati nationals. Nafis offers several benefits such as:
The Secretary-general of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, Ghannam Al Mazrouei, has said they wish to increase Emiratisation until private sector firms achieve a target of 10% by 2026.
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