Minister confirms news as June 30 deadline approaches

The UAE government has announced that Emiratisation in the private sector will continue after 2026. The programme, which was launched in 2011, aims to increase the number of Emiratis working in the private sector to 50% by 2026.

Responding to a question asked during a meeting of the UAE Federal National Council, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), affirmed that the pace of Emiratisation in the private sector will continue after 2026 at the same level.

Government offers incentives

Across the UAE, June 30 is the deadline for private sector companies with 50 employees or more to hit their six-month Emiratisation targets – set at one per cent of skilled jobs. The yearly two per cent increase target is to be achieved before the end of 2023.

Companies that fail to meet these targets by the deadlines will be subject to hefty fines.

Targeted companies are expected to achieve a 10 per cent Emiratisation rate by the end of 2026. Non-compliant companies will face a fine of AED 42,000 for each Emirati not appointed according to the semi-annual targets.

The government is offering a number of incentives to private-sector employers who hire Emiratis. These incentives include subsidies of up to 80 per cent on government fees.

Source: Gulf Today