MoHRE Establishes Deadline for Hiring at Least One Emirati

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in the UAE has announced a renewed push for Emiratisation, urging private sector companies with 20 to 49 employees to hire at least one Emirati citizen before the end of this year. This initiative comes as part of a broader Cabinet decision aimed at expanding Emiratisation efforts across various industries, with a follow-up requirement for these companies to hire at least one Emirati in 2025.

This mandate will impact over 12,000 private firms across 14 key economic sectors, which include information and communication, finance and insurance, real estate, professional and scientific activities, administrative and support services, education, health and social work, arts and entertainment, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, as well as accommodation and hospitality. These sectors are identified as rapidly growing and capable of providing ample job opportunities along with suitable working environments.

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Companies that fail to meet their Emiratisation targets for 2024 will face fines of AED 96,000, effective from January 2025. Similarly, those that do not comply with the 2025 hiring requirements will incur contributions of AED 108,000, to be collected starting January 2026.

In its statement, the MoHRE emphasized the importance of retaining Emirati employees who were hired before January 1, 2024. Additionally, the Ministry underscored the necessity for all Emirati employees to be registered in the country’s pension and social security systems and for their salaries to be processed through the Wage Protection System (WPS).

To facilitate compliance with these new hiring mandates, the MoHRE encourages companies to utilize the Nafis programme, which provides access to a pool of qualified Emirati professionals ready to fill various positions. By registering on the Nafis platform to post job vacancies, companies can not only achieve their Emiratisation goals but also enhance their competitiveness, as bids from compliant companies will be prioritized on the government procurement platform.

The Ministry is committed to supporting companies through workshops designed to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring Emiratis and the importance of adhering to Emiratisation policies. These workshops aim to inform businesses about the advantages of integrating Emirati citizens into their workforce.

Moreover, the MoHRE has cautioned against practices known as "fake emiratisation," which involve misleading representations of Emirati employment. Companies engaging in such practices may face stringent financial penalties and administrative sanctions.

The decision to extend the Emiratisation requirements to smaller firms aligns with ongoing efforts aimed at larger companies, which already face mandates to achieve a 2% annual growth in skilled Emirati jobs, leading to an overall 10% increase by the end of 2026. This comprehensive strategy reflects the UAE's commitment to enhancing the role of Emiratis in the workforce and promoting a more diverse and sustainable economy.