Unemployment benefits, child allowance: UAE's salary support scheme for Emiratis explained

The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) announced yesterday that salary support for Emiratis working in the private and banking sectors will be increased. The expanded ‘Emirati Salary Support Scheme’ will boost government efforts to integrate Emiratis into these sectors.

It is expected to benefit more than 170,000 people over the next five years.

Here is all you need to know:

What is Nafis?

Nafis is a programme that aims to boost the competitiveness of Emirati human resources to encourage Emiratis to join the private sector. It was launched in September 2021 as part of the “Projects of the 50”. So far nearly 21,000 Emiratis have benefited from the programme’s financial assistance scheme, according to WAM.

The main objectives include enabling Emiratis to occupy 75,000 job opportunities in the private sector over the next five years and to create equal job opportunities in the private sector while providing suitable training and coaching programmes to encourage Emiratis to join the private sector.

The recent decision announced that the programme would broaden the nursing cadres to integrate the pharmaceutical, medical, and health sectors at all levels and specialisations.

Nafis includes the following programmes: Emirati Salary Support Scheme, Unemployment Benefit, Child Allowance Scheme, Pension Programme and On-the-job training support.

What is the Emirati Salary Support Scheme?

Government support for salaries of Emirati nationals aiming to work in the private sector. It includes Emiratis who would like to work and be part of training programmes in the private sector and who are employed full-time.

For the first-year on job training highest financial allowance for bachelor’s degree holders is Dh8,000. For diploma holders it is Dh6,500 and for high school diploma holders it is Dh4,000.

For five years, employees would be eligible for a top-up between the salaries they receive and the relevant target salary. If their salary is below Dh20,000, the highest financial allowance for bachelor’s degree holders is Dh7,000. For diploma holders it is Dh6,000 and for high school diploma holders it is Dh5,000.

If the salary is between Dh20,000 and Dh30,000 they highest financial allowance for bachelor’s degree holders would be Dh3,500. For diploma holders it is Dh3,000 and for high school diploma holders it is Dh2,500.

What are the unemployment benefits?

In case of an involuntary job loss in the private sector, Emirati nationals, under this scheme, will be provided temporary financial support while they look for a job. The temporary support period is 12 months, and the benefit period should not exceed 6 consecutive months.

Those receiving the unemployment benefit must actively look for employment in collaboration with relevant authorities and in case they refuse a job which is offered they lose the right to claim the benefit.