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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has called on the specified private sector companies and institutions that employ 20-49 workers to expedite the appointment of at least one citizen and not wait until the end of the deadline granted to these companies, which ends at the end of 2024, in implementation of the Cabinet decision issued regarding the Emiratisation targets policy, which also stipulates the appointment of at least one citizen during the year 2025.
The decision includes more than 12,000 specific companies operating in 14 main economic activities, including information and communications, financial and insurance activities, real estate activities, professional, scientific and technical activities, administrative services and support services activities, education, activities in the field of human health and social work, arts and entertainment, mining and quarrying, manufacturing industries, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, and accommodation and hospitality services activities, which are activities that are witnessing rapid growth and have the ability to provide jobs and a suitable work environment. All targeted companies have been notified electronically of the need to expedite the achievement of their targets.
Financial contributions of AED 96,000 will be imposed on companies that do not meet the requirements for the year 2024 in January 2025, in addition to AED 108,000 to be imposed in January 2026 on companies that do not meet the targets for the year 2025.
The ministry stressed in a press statement the necessity for companies covered by the decision to maintain the citizens who work for them before January 1, 2024, and for all citizens working for them to be registered in the pension, retirement and social insurance systems in the country, in addition to transferring their monthly salaries through the wage protection system.
She called on companies to benefit from the support of the “Nafis” program, which provides the private sector with qualified Emirati cadres ready to fill the required position in various economic sectors in the country, by registering on the “Nafis” platform to display their job vacancies on this platform, indicating that implementing the Emiratisation targets will enhance the competitiveness of companies and increase the level of their business, especially since they will be able to submit their offers, which will receive priority on the government procurement platform.
The Ministry stressed its keenness to provide the necessary support to the targeted companies to help them achieve what is required of them during the current year, especially through the workshops organized by the Ministry to educate these companies on how to appoint citizens in compliance with the decisions and policies of localization and the privileges they obtain as a result of their commitment.
The Ministry warned companies against trying to resort to fictitious localization, which exposes them to financial fines and strict administrative penalties.
The implementation of the decision to expand the scope of Emiratisation targets to include establishments employing 20 to 49 workers comes in parallel with continuing to achieve Emiratisation targets for companies employing 50 workers or more by achieving 2% annual growth in Emiratisation of skilled jobs, reaching a growth in Emiratisation at a rate of 10% by the end of 2026.
