The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in the UAE has announced the expansion of Emiratisation targets to include firms with 20 to 49 employees in specific economic activities as well.

Previously, only private sector companies with 50 employees or more needed to meet the said targets.

The decision aims to increase the number of Emiratis employed in targeted establishments across 14 key economic sectors, requiring them to hire at least one UAE citizen in 2024 and another in 2025. The Ministry added that a yearly financial contribution of Dh96,000 will be imposed in January 2025 on establishments that do not comply with the decision by the end of next year. Furthermore, non-compliant establishments in 2025 will face a Dh108,000 fine in January 2026.

Below is a list of the economic activities for establishments included in the decision:

• Information and communications
• Financial and insurance activities
• Real estate
• Professional and technical activities
• Administrative and support services
• Arts and entertainment
• Mining and quarrying
• Transformative industries
• Education
• Healthcare and social work
• Construction
• Wholesale and retail
• Transportation and warehousing
• Hospitality and residency services

The targeted establishments will be chosen based on criteria such as types of jobs, work environment, geographical location, nature of growth in these economic sectors, as well as Emiratisation priorities, added the Ministry.

Source: Khaleej Times