MoHRE sets deadline to hire at least one Emirati citizen

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has urged private establishments employing 20 to 49 workers to accelerate efforts to hire at least one Emirati this year, ahead of the grace period which ends on December 31.

The deadline follows the Cabinet’s decision to expand the scope of Emiratisation, requiring these companies to hire at least one UAE citizen in 2025 as well.

The decision affects over 12,000 private firms operating across 14 key economic sectors, including information and communication, finance and insurance, real estate, professional, scientific and technological activities, administrative and support services, education, health and social work, arts and entertainment, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and accommodation and hospitality.

These sectors are experiencing rapid growth and have the capacity to provide jobs and a suitable working environment, said the MoHRE.

Companies that do not meet their 2024 targets will be fined AED 96,000, which will be collected from January 2025. Failure to meet the 2025 targets will result in contributions of AED 108,000, collected from January 2026.

In a statement, the Ministry emphasised the need for companies included in the decision to retain Emirati employees hired before January 1, 2024, ensure all employed UAE citizens are registered in the country’s pension and social security systems, and process their monthly salaries through the Wage Protection System (WPS).

It also called on companies to benefit from the support offered by the Nafis programme, which provides access to a pool of qualified Emirati professionals ready to fill positions across various sectors.

By registering on the Nafis platform to advertise job vacancies, companies can meet their Emiratisation targets while enhancing their competitiveness, as their bids will be prioritised on the government procurement platform.

The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to providing support to targeted companies through workshops aimed at raising awareness about hiring Emirati citizens, in compliance with Emiratisation decisions and policies, and the benefits of adhering to them.

Additionally, the Ministry warned companies against engaging in 'fake emiratisation' practices, which could lead to strict financial penalties and administrative sanctions.

The decision to expand the scope of companies targeted for Emiratisation to those employing 20 to 49 workers aligns with ongoing efforts to achieve targets for companies employing 50 or more workers, which are required to achieve a 2 per cent annual growth in skilled jobs, leading to a 10 per cent increase by the end of 2026.