UAE issues thanks to businesses that hit 2022 Emiratisation targets

Throughout 2022, authorities were pushing for a higher level of Emirati employees among private sector businesses. The rate of Emirati employees was increased by 2 percent in private sector companies with more than 50 employees, and was made conditional to employing them in skilled jobs only.

“The Ministry (MoHRE) thanks private sector companies that achieved the required Emiratisation targets of 2022. We look forward to strengthening our cooperation to achieve the 2023 targets, up to a 10 percent growth of Emiratisation in skilled jobs in 2026,” the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said in a statement.

The Ministry had warned companies in late December that businesses would face fines if they failed to meet Emiratisation targets, up to $20,000 a year for every Emirati not hired.

Emiratisation, under the government’s Nafis initiative, also required companies to follow certain rules set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). This include a ban on misleading advertisements, and hiring Emiratis only for skilled jobs.

Dubai-based Indian IT company Tech Mahindra’s global chief people officer and head of marketing Harshvendra Soin previously told Arabian Business that the new law is an “opportunity.”

Soin also said that the best way to ensure companies in the UAE meet their Emiratisation targets is by ensuring that they meet the company’s requirements and then also upskilling their employees.

“We have seen success all across the world, when employees use their skills and grow within the company because again, hiring is not enough,” Soin said, adding that providing employees with an environment where they can flourish is important.

“Training them where they can grow is important. Because you know you may hire fit 1000 people tomorrow if they don’t grow then what’s the point? So because by hiring these individuals, you’re also taking the responsibility in building career,” he stressed.