UAE firms told to reach Emiratisation target by Dec.31 to avoid fine

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has called on private-sector companies subject to Emiratisation policies to expedite efforts to achieve their 2025 targets before Dec.31, 2025, warning that financial contributions will be imposed as of Jan.1,  2026 on companies that fail to meet their required Emiratisation rates.

Emiratisation targets apply to companies with 50 workers or more, requiring them to achieve a 2% growth in the number of Emirati citizens hired for their skilled jobs before the end of the year.

The same deadline applies to a select group of establishments employing 20-49 workers and operating in specific economic sectors experiencing rapid growth, which gives them the capacity to provide jobs and a suitable work environment. These establishments are required to recruit at least one UAE citizen and retain citizens already working for them before Jan.1, 2026.

The Ministry praised the private sector’s commitment to implementing Emiratisation policies and targets since their inception, which reflects the extent of private companies’ compliance, their awareness of their national and social responsibilities, and their active contribution in supporting the national economy and empowering Emirati citizens in the labour market.

In a press statement, MoHRE advised companies subject to Emiratisation policies to leverage the Nafis platform to connect with job-seeking citizens from various specialisations, which supports their efforts to meet their Emiratisation commitments.

Furthermore, the Ministry highlighted the efficiency of its monitoring system in flagging harmful practices, such as ‘Fake Emiratisation’ schemes and attempts to circumvent Emiratisation targets, noting that the system has been further enhanced with the incorporation of advanced artificial intelligence tools. MoHRE cautioned that non-compliance will lead to legal action against violating companies, including downgrading their classification within the Ministry’s establishment classification system and requiring them to rectify their status.

UAE citizens were urged to report violations and cases that breach the country’s Emiratisation policies to the Ministry’s call centre at 600590000, or through its smart application and website, which adhere to the highest standards of privacy and responsiveness.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation asserted that compliant companies will continue to enjoy various forms of support, from the Nafis programme and its wide range of benefits, to the Emiratisation Partners Club, where companies that achieve exceptional results in Emiratisation benefit from enhanced competitive advantages and privileges, including financial discounts of up to 80% on MoHRE service fees and priority status in the government procurement system, which enhances their business growth opportunities, among other pioneering advantages enabling them to leverage the rapid growth under way in UAE labour market.