Will expatriates have to return home? UAE tightens emiratisation in 14 sectors

DUBAI: UAE is set to tighten Emiratisation in various job sectors in the country. The authorities have given directions to companies across 14 sectors, including IT, to strongly implement the recruitment of local citizens by December 31. The Ministry of Human Resources has warned that strict action will be taken against companies that fail to follow the directions. As per the order issued by the government, companies with 20-49 employees must have at least one local citizen in their workforce by December 31.

Local citizens are to be hired in companies in the professional technology sector, insurance companies in the financial sector, companies in real estate, IT, administrative and support services, education, healthcare, social sectors, arts and entertainment, mining, quarrying, construction, wholesale and retail, transportation, warehousing, and hospitality sectors.

The hiring should be done by retaining existing local employees in each company. The Ministry has advised companies not to wait until the deadline to complete this process. The details of all local employees must be registered with the country's General Pension and Social Security Authority, and salaries should be disbursed through the Wage Protection System (WPS). The number of local employees should be increased in the company every year. At least one local citizen must be appointed in the company every year, the order said.

However, the new rule doesn't apply to companies with less than 20 employees. Only rapidly growing companies with a suitable work environment and economic stability have been brought under the scope for hiring local nationals.