Private sector companies in the UAE with 20 to 49 employees are reminded to hire at least one Emirati before the deadline on December 31. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) advised against delaying until the grace period ends in 2024. Financial penalties of Dh96,000 will be imposed on companies failing to meet 2024 targets, to be collected starting January 2025, while fines of Dh108,000 will apply for 2025 targets, collected from January 2026. Mohre cautioned against 'fake emiratisation' practices, which would result in strict financial penalties and administrative sanctions. Participating in such practices will incur administrative fines from Dh20,000 to Dh100,000 per instance, depending on the number of offences. Additionally, circumventing Emiratisation targets will lead to fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh500,000.
The Ministry issued a press statement emphasizing the need for companies to retain Emirati employees hired before January 1, 2024, ensure UAE citizens are registered in the pension and social security systems, and process their salaries through the Wage Protection System (WPS). This follows the Cabinet's decision to expand the scope of Emiratisation, including recruiting at least one UAE citizen in 2025. The decision applies to over 12,000 companies across 14 key economic sectors, which are currently experiencing rapid growth and have the capacity to provide jobs and a suitable working environment. Mohre encouraged companies to benefit from the Nafis programme, which offers access to qualified Emirati professionals. By registering on the Nafis platform, companies can meet their Emiratisation targets, enhance competitiveness, and expand business, as their bids will be prioritized on the government procurement platform. The Ministry also committed to providing necessary support through workshops to help companies meet their requirements for the year, in compliance with Emiratisation decisions and policies.
The decision to expand Emiratisation to include companies with 20 to 49 employees aligns with ongoing efforts to meet targets for larger firms. These larger companies are required to achieve a 2% annual increase in skilled jobs, aiming for a total 10% growth by the end of 2026.
