The skyline of Dubai. ARCHIVE

A private company in the UAE has been fined Dh100,000 for fraud after it manipulated its employee count to be exempted from Emiratisation. This came ahead of the July 7 deadline for private sector companies to comply with the UAE's mandatory Emiratisation target. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) did not name the company but said that the business reduced its number of employees to less than 50 so that it will be exempt from the mandatory yearly Emiratisation target. According to MOHRE, the company had 68 employees, but cancelled the work permits of some of its employees and issued new permits for them in another company with the same owner. The fraud was discovered when ministry officials conducted an inspection after noticing that the employee data was manipulated. Inspectors found that employees who were given new permits were still working at the company. Private sector companies with 50 or more employees have until July 7 to meet the Emiratisation target, which is to increase the number of Emirati employees by 1 percent every six months. Companies with fewer than 50 employees are exempt. Violators will be fined Dh42,000 for every Emirati not hired. Companies found to defraud the system will be fined Dh100,000, with up to Dh500,000 for repeat offenders. ICA/Expat Media
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