Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Private companies in the UAE must hire Emiratis to meet the mandatory Emiratisation target by December 31 or face a fine, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Under the Emiratisation policy, private companies with 50 or more employees must hire Emiratis as part of at least 2 percent of their annual workforce. The target is split into 1 percent by June and another 1 percent by December 31. According to MOHRE on Monday (December 18), companies that “fail to comply with annual Emiratisation targets will be required to pay financial contributions starting from January 2024, in line with Emiratisation policies and decisions.” Violators face a fine of Dh42,000 for each Emirati not hired. The ministry also warned companies and employees against engaging in fake Emiratisation, or hiring “ghost employees” to take advantage of government financial support for hired Emiratis. From mid-2022 to date, MOHRE has fined 916 companies found to have fraudulently hired UAE nationals to circumvent the Emiratisation rule. “Legal and administrative procedures have been taken against violating establishments, including degrading their categorisation within MOHRE’s systems, imposing fines ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh100,000, and potential referral to the Public Prosecution, based on the level of the violation,” according to MOHRE. Companies that follow the Emiratisation targets get benefits, including 80 percent reduction in MoHRE’s service fees and priority in the government procurement system. Emiratis hired under the program also get financial benefits. ICA/Expat Media
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