Private Sector Employment for Emiratis Reaches 92,000
- Publish date: Thursday، 04 January 2024 | Last update: Tuesday، 10 December 2024
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As of the end of 2023, the number of Emiratis employed in the private sector has surged to nearly 92,000, marking a substantial 157% increase since the launch of the Nafis program in September 2021.
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The Nafis program was designed to create job opportunities for both young and experienced Emiratis. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation commended the commitment of over 19,000 companies that have actively employed Emirati citizens.
According to regulations, companies with 50 or more employees are required to ensure that at least 6% of their workforce comprises Emiratis by the end of 2024.
Additionally, smaller companies with 20 to 49 workers, engaged in specific economic activities, must hire at least one UAE national in 2024 and another in 2025.
Companies failing to meet these targets will face fines, with penalties of AED 96,000 for each Emirati citizen not appointed in 2024 and AED 108,000 for failure to meet 2025 targets. These fines will be collected in January 2025 and January 2026, respectively.
Firms are encouraged to leverage the Nafis program's platform, facilitating connections with skilled Emirati jobseekers across diverse fields.