New resolution outlines Emiratisation hire guidelines

With just two weeks remaining for the Emiratisation target in the private sector to kick in, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a resolution outlining the hiring process, fake jobs, salaries and employer obligations.

The ministry stressed that companies must not highlight the UAE government's Emiratisation benefits in the job adverts, unless they obtain permission from the ministry to do so.

Companies posting advertisements that are misleading - not representing real openings or advertise for unskilled jobs - or are "forged" to hoodwink the authorities to cash on government incentives will face stiff penalties. 

The employer must obtain work permits for all Emirati hires and register them for the government's pension and social security scheme.

Salaries must be in line with what the contract and match what their counterparts get paid, the authority added.

Firms are also disallowed from making any deductions from their salaries, under the pretext of "government programmes".

Employers must cancel the Emirati’s work permit as soon as the contract is terminated and report any change to the contract under the Nafis programme.

Firms have been urged to provide UAE national recruits the appropriate tools, besides the minimum on-the-job training, to do their jobs.

Authorities added that inspections will intensify to ensure all the rules are followed.

The resolution also specifies the obligations of the Emirati employees, urging them to ensure the documents of their qualifications are accurate.

According to the law, private firms with at least 50 employees must ensure that two per cent of their staff are Emirati.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation stressed private companies must "employ Emiratis in skilled jobs".

From January 2023, non-compliant firms will have to pay a monthly penalty of AED 6,000 for every UAE national that it fails to hire.