Arab News, Monday, Sep 13, 2021 | Safar 6, 1443
UAE sets 10% Emiratization quota for private companies
Emirates:
Employees of private companies
in the UAE should be made up of 10 percent Emiratis, the government announced on
Sunday as part of its economic reforms.
The rule will be enforced over the next five
years, starting with an initial 2 percent requirement for the first year,
Emirati Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad Abdullah Al-Gergawi said.
It will only apply to “skilled labor” positions,
and the government will work closely with private sector companies to achieve
the target by 2026.
"We do not look at localization as a compliance
issue, but as a competitive advantage," Alain Bejjani, chief executive officer
of Majid Al Futtaim, one of the UAE's biggest employers, told Arab News.
"Enriching the (private sector's) workforce with
local talent gives companies the granularity of understanding of the market you
operate in, and the ability to outperform your competitors," he added.
Other efforts to boost Emiratization, or the
country’s campaign to integrate locals into the private sector workforce, were
also announced at the press conference held at the presidential palace in Abu
Dhabi.
Around 24 billion dirhams ($6.5 billion) will be
allocated to create 75,000 private sector jobs for Emiratis.
There will also be allowances, bonuses, and other
monetary incentives for UAE nationals, especially those in the field of
programming, nursing and entrepreneurship.
The government envisions having 10,000 Emirati
nurses by 2026, and locals who are employed in the private sector will receive a
child allowance of 800 dirhams per month.
Emirati government workers who wish to set up
their own business will be allowed to take a partially paid leave of absence for
up to a year.
The government will subsidize training programs
for Emiratis to build their competencies as they join the private sector.
These are all part of the country’s “Projects of
the 50” initiative, which marks the UAE’s 50th year since the unification of all
the emirates.
The first set of initiatives was announced in
Dubai last week, primarily targeting international investments and attracting
foreign talent.