UAE amends Emiratisation deadline for private firms

The deadline for UAE private sector companies to meet their half-yearly Emiratisation target has been extended by a week to July 7.

That's according to the latest announcement by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which said they had to take into account the Eid Al Adha holidays.

The decision will give companies "sufficient time" to "achieve their goals".

Starting July 8, non-compliant companies will face a AED42,000 fine for each Emirati not employed.

The Ministry decided to extend the deadline for achieving Emiratisation targets. Now, private sector companies with 50 employees or more have until 7th July instead of 30th June to achieve a 1% Emiratisation for skilled jobs. We took into consideration the Eid holiday and decided…

— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) June 13, 2023

Private firms with more than 50 employees must ensure that at least 2 per cent of their skilled workforce are Emirati.

The move is in line with the UAE Cabinet’s resolution to gradually raise the Emiratisation rates of skilled jobs to 10 per cent by the end of 2026.