The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation told private sector companies to meet Emiratisation targets within the next 50 days or face fines of $20,000 (AED72,000) per year for every Emirati not hired.
Companies with more than 50 employees must ensure that 2% of employees are Emirati before the deadline of January 1 rolls around in just 50 days’ time. The move is in line with the government’s Nafis initiative, Arabian Business reported.
Nafis, which means to compete in Arabic, was an initiate launched in 2021 as part of the UAE’s ‘Projects of the 50,’ and aims to support Emirati nationals to pursue their professional careers in the private sector.
“We reaffirm our belief in developing the UAE labour market in partnership with the private sector to help achieve an improved business environment and investment climate that encourages companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and talented people from all over the world to work in the UAE, especially in strategic sectors,” the Ministry said in a statement.
