ABU DHABI: UAE has urged private sector companies to hire more local citizens as part of expanding its Emiratisation efforts. The authorities also warned that heavy fines would be imposed on companies that fail to comply with the direction. The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has ordered that private institutions with 20 to 49 employees must hire at least one Emirati citizen in 2024.

The new directive comes after the UAE cabinet decided to expand its Emiratisation efforts. This directive affects over 12,000 companies across 14 sectors, including education, science, technology, and healthcare, which are experiencing rapid growth and offering numerous job opportunities and favourable work environments.

Companies failing to implement Emiratisation guidelines issued in 2024 will have to pay a fine of AED 96,000 (approximately ₹21,85,813) in January. If non-compliance persists in 2025, a fine of AED 108,000 (approximately ₹2,459,039) will be imposed in January 2026.

The UAE Ministry also directed companies to retain Emirati citizens hired before January 1, 2024. It also directed the companies to provide pension and social security benefits to these Emirati citizens and ensure salary protection through the Wage Protection System (WPS). The ministry further stated that companies can easily meet their Emiratization targets by advertising job vacancies on the Nafis platform, which is dedicated to employment opportunities for UAE citizens.