Mandatory Emiratisation in UAE: Firms speed up hiring, training of Emiratis

UAE companies have expedited the process of hiring Emiratis in order to meet the Emiratisation target announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)

The Ministry made it mandatory for companies with more than 50 employees to increase their Emiratisation quota to two per cent for skilled jobs by the end of 2022. The target has been doubled to four per cent for the private sector by the end of 2023. Firms failing to hire the required number of Emiratis will have to pay a fine of Dh6,000 per month.

Both public and private sector entities have boosted their Emiratisation drives in order to avoid fines and penalties.

Starting January 1, 2023, MoHRE has begun imposing fines on companies for not meeting Emiratisation targets.

Thumbay Group said it onboarded 23 UAE nationals to its workforce, and is looking to further strengthen the Emirati workforce.

The new Emirati workers have been assigned roles in customer service, academic affairs, student admissions, laboratory and strategic management departments.

The healthcare firm said applications are further open to Emiratis with relevant experience who are seeking a role in the health, wellness and medical education sectors.

Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder president, Thumbay Group, said the firm aims to empower and support skilled Emiratis to build a career path in its diversified business.

“We plan to welcome growing numbers of talented Emirati staff onboard as we work together to boost and nurture the country’s flourishing knowledge economy – for the benefit of all those who call the UAE their home,” he said.

Dr Moideen added that the group has taken numerous steps to encourage employees to adapt faster to the job by providing them with all the required tools and training, and scaling up productivity. “We look forward to having more Emirati representation in the coming days,” he added.

As a result of the strong push for Emiratisation, recruitment firms say that the demand and salaries of young Emiratis have exponentially grown.

Emirates Global Aluminium on Monday said it recruited more than 220 UAE nationals in 2022, including 100 women, with an average age of 23 years.

It ended 2022 with an Emiratisation rate of 42 per cent. Almost 1,200 UAE nationals work at EGA, and over 700 of them are under the age of 35.

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