Emiratisation

Empowering UAE’s Workforce with Emirati Talent

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) describes Emiratization as a government initiative to guarantee Emiratis an equal chance to be a part of productive and meaningful work. It requires organizations, particularly in the private sector to employ a specific number of Emiratis. This policy is central to the UAE’s vision of building a diversified and knowledge-based economy, reducing reliance on expatriate labor, and ensuring long-term national development.

Understanding Emiratisation

Emiratization policies are designed to create more job opportunities for UAE nationals, develop a highly skilled Emirati workforce, and strengthen the UAE’s national identity and economy. The initiative encourages UAE-based companies to hire Emirati employees, thereby integrating local talent into various sectors of the economy.

Nafis

Nafis, a federal initiative to grow the potential of Emirati workforce and enable them to occupy job opportunities in the private sector.
It’s part of the ‘Projects of the 50’, a series developmental projects including several areas such as: advanced skills and technologies, digital economy, entrepreneurship, etc.

Emiratisation Targets and Compliance Regulations

The UAE government has set specific targets to enhance Emirati representation in the private sector:

Companies with 50 or more employees: Required to achieve a 2% annual increase in the employment of Emiratis in skilled roles, aiming for a 10% increase by 2026.
Companies with 20 to 49 employees: Mandated to hire at least one Emirati by 2024 and a second by 2025.
Non-compliance with these targets can result in financial penalties, including heavy fines for each unfulfilled position, increasing annually.

Significance of Emiratisation

Emiratisation is not merely a compliance requirement but a strategic opportunity for organizations to:

Access a pool of motivated and educated Emirati local talent and bring valuable insights and a deep understanding of the local market.
Enhance corporate reputation by demonstrating commitment to national development goals to improve brand image and stakeholder relations.
Benefit from government incentives for meeting Emiratisation targets and receive reliefs such as reduced fees and priority in government contracts.

Emiratisation Challenges for Companies

Despite its national importance, many organizations face obstacles in implementing effective Emiratisation strategies. These include:

Talent Availability vs. Role Requirements: Many companies struggle to match available Emirati candidates with specialized or technical roles, particularly in STEM-heavy or blue-collar sectors.
Retention and Career Planning: Retention remains a key challenge, especially where Emiratis feel underutilized or disconnected from meaningful career progression.
Navigating Complex Regulations: The evolving Emiratisation landscape with varying requirements across industries, company sizes, and job levels can create compliance uncertainty for HR and leadership teams.

métier’s Emiratisation Services

Strategic Workforce Planning: We craft Emiratisation strategies tailored to your industry, size, and long-term goals. Our services include workforce assessments, policy alignment, and target setting.
Talent Acquisition & Development: From sourcing and onboarding to creating Emirati-focused learning paths, mentorship programs, and succession pipelines, we support your entire talent journey.
Compliance & Policy Advisory: Our consultants ensure you stay fully aligned with the latest NAFIS guidelines, labor laws, and Emiratisation mandates including pension enrollment, job classification, and reporting.

Why Choose métier?

Deep Knowledge of UAE Labor Policy: We understand the legal frameworks, cultural dynamics, and policy shifts shaping the Emiratisation agenda combining both strategic insight and practical support.
Customized Talent Solutions: We customize our approach based on your sector, business model, and current Emiratisation maturity.
Commitment to National Impact: We align our services with the UAE’s broader vision for economic empowerment, to help you contribute meaningfully to workforce nationalization goals.

Click here to explore our services and design a high-impact Emiratisation strategy today!

Or connect with our Emiratisation consultants at hr@metierme.net