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Emiratisation Recruitment

Achieve Your Emiratisation Targets with the Top Emiratisation Recruitment Agency in UAE

At TASC, we are committed to finding the best Emirati talent for all your recruitment needs. As a leading UAE nationals recruitment agency, our team is super skilled and will deliver the right solutions for all your business needs.

No matter the size and scale of your business, we provide bespoke solutions that help achieve goals quicker. As your UAE national recruitment agency, we’ll offer you a suite of services including contract staffing, permanent recruitment, HR consultancy services, PRO services, payroll services and more.

What else can TASC help you with? Emiratisation recruitment is one of our newer capabilities. Let us delve into the concept of Emiratisation, its importance and how TASC can help with Emiratisation hiring. Our handy guide will cover it all.

What is Emiratisation?

One of the most important initiatives undertaken by the UAE government, Emiratisation refers to the process of incorporating UAE nationals into the private sector by providing them with employment opportunities.

The new Emiratisation policies for UAE national hiring were in effect from 1st January, 2023. Companies who fail to meet the Emiratisation requirements will be subjected to penalties. The Emiratisation policy in the United Arab Emirates is comparable to the Saudisation policy in Saudi Arabia.

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What were the old requirements for Emiratisation Recruitment?

Emiratisation has been in force in the UAE for a while now. In the banking and insurance sector, the quota for UAE National Hiring was 4% and 5% respectively.

However, in 2017, a landmark judgement came into being. A form of labour market testing was introduced for employers having more than 50 employees. Under the new laws, organizations are required to have 2% Emirati representation if their workforce is above the 50 count. Essentially, there should be 1 Emirati for every 50 employees.

The Tawteen and NAFIS schemes were also introduced during this time to further the Emiratisation process. However, now Tawteen has been assimilated into NAFIS and no longer exists.

What Are The New Emiratisation Hiring Requirements?

The new Emiratisation rules and tips that apply to all employers falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). MOHRE issued a new Ministerial Decision with regard to Emiratisation efforts in the United Arab Emirates.

Under this, all organizations in the private sector have to not only comply with the 2% Emirati quota but also have to increase this number year by year so as to reach the 10% mark by 2026. However, for the banking and insurance sectors, the quotas would remain at 4% and 5% respectively.

These requirements apply to all employers under MOHRE who are based onshore in the mainland UAE. They do not apply to organizations in the free zones. These requirements have fully come into effect from 1st January 2023.

Another aspect of this is the number of skilled workers in the company. The actual Emiratisation numbers per company would be determined depending on the number of skilled workers in the company.

What Constitutes A Skilled
Worker In UAE National Hiring?

When it comes to Emiratisation hiring, an employee is classified as a skilled worker if he/she meets the following prerequisites:

  • He/she must draw a monthly salary of a minimum of AED 4000
  • He/she must have a high school certificate or its equivalent as a minimum educational requirement
  • He/she must fall into one of the following 5 categories

All About NAFIS;
The Comprehensive Emiratisation Recruitment Program

Nafis is a federal program to increase the competitiveness of Emirati human resources and empower them to occupy jobs in the private sector. Part of 'Projects of the 50', the program aims to accelerate the UAE’s development journey and boost the economy.

The word ‘Nafis’ means to compete in Arabic. Launched on 13th September 2021, the program seeks to equip Emirati nationals with the knowledge and skills they need to secure employment in the private sector.

The NAFIS program aims to create 75,000 jobs in the private sector by 2025. Supporting Emiratis in different stages of their career, from a fresher to someone who has been in the workforce for a while and is looking for growth. All organizations now need to compulsorily register with NAFIS under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. As your Emiratisation recruitment agency, we can guide you through the process to help you comply with it.

The Key Benefits of NAFIS
in Emiratisation Hiring

Financial Support: NAFIS provides substantial wage subsidies to private sector companies, offering up to AED 8,000 monthly for each Emirati hire. This initiative significantly reduces the financial burden businesses face when employing UAE nationals. The program aims to foster sustainable employer-employee relationships across different industrial sectors.

Lower Pension Contributions: Employers receive significant benefits through NAFIS in the form of reduced pension contribution requirements when hiring Emiratis. This makes it more economical for companies to maintain UAE national employees over the long term.

Training Subsidies: NAFIS provides essential funding for skill upgradation and professional training initiatives. Companies can develop Emirati talent without bearing the full financial burden of upskilling programs. This investment results in a better-skilled national workforce that is prepared to meet future industry demands.

Competitive Recruitment Benefit: Companies participating in NAFIS gain access to a shared database of qualified UAE nationals, streamlining their recruitment process. This system helps businesses meet their Emiratisation requirements more effectively. The program also enhances their reputation as preferred employers of local talent.

Compliance Assistance: NAFIS provides specialized support services and streamlined processes to help companies navigate government Emiratisation quotas. The program reduces the administrative burden of complying with regulatory requirements. This assistance helps companies avoid potential penalties for non-compliance with nationalization requirements.

How Does MOHRE Categorize Companies In UAE National Hiring?

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has categorised organisations into 3 tiers for Emiratisation.

Category 1:

Organizations need to achieve at least one of the following objectives

  • They have to increase their annual Emiratisation quota by at least three times the target
  • They have to be a small or medium sized organization owned by a young UAE national
  • They need to hire or train at least 500 UAE nationals annually
  • They need to be a qualifying training and employment centre

For category 1, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will set work permit fees at a maximum of AED 250 for 2 years.

Category 2:

Those organizations which don’t fall into the Category 1 subdivision but nonetheless meet the Emiratisation quota of 2% per year

For category 2, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will set work permit fees at a maximum of AED 1200 for 2 years.

Category 3:

Those organizations that do not meet the Emiratisation quota

For category 3, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will set a fine of AED 6000 per month per UAE national not hired. This fee will be increased on an annual basis by AED 1000 per month.

Do note that for Categories 1 & 2, UAE and GCC nationals will be exempted from the fees.

The Emiratisation Recruitment Salary Support Scheme

The Emirati Salary Support Scheme is ideal for those who want to train themselves to get a full-time job in the private sector.

They are paid a difference between their current and target salary under this scheme.

Pension Program

This is a five-year plan in which the government contributes to the pension of Emirati employees through a rebate, along with supporting the contribution of private sector employers.

Child Allowance Scheme

Under NAFIS, the children of those working in the private and financial sectors will receive up to AED 600 per month, for a maximum of 4 children.

Talent Program

This special initiative helps Emiratis through an educational grant program to obtain internationally recognized professional certificates for a variety of professions, helping them up-skill or re-skill.

Apprentice Program

The Apprentice Program is for the currently unemployed, holding at least a bachelor’s degree, and having graduated no more than 2 years prior to applying. It aims to give vocational training through apprenticeships in Private and Semi-Public companies to acquire professional experience.

Meet Recruitment Targets

Under Nafis, partner companies can benefit from a specially designed job posting platform that connects Emiratis with job opportunities in the private sector whilst giving employers preferential access to the right resumes.

National Healthcare Program

An educational grant program that helps Emiratis obtain the requisite qualifications that prime them for a career in healthcare, by providing easy access to high-quality healthcare degrees and diploma courses. Eligibility involves a minimum of a high school degree and the requirements of the selected program. Applicants should be currently unemployed.

Unemployment Benefit

If an Emirati has lost his or her job for reasons beyond their control, having been employed in the private sector or in one of the establishments licensed by the Central Bank, the person is eligible for temporary support as per guidelines laid down, for 12 months within 5 years.

Job Offers

Emiratis receive job offers through a unified job posting platform that hosts available opportunities in the private sector. It is an easy way for employers to find the right matches which helps them fulfill their Emiratisation targets. The platform aims to maximize the matching of eligible Emiratis with private-sector companies.

On-the-job training program

Emiratis receive job offers through a unified job posting platform that hosts available opportunities in the private sector. It is an easy way for employers to find the right matches which helps them fulfill their Emiratisation targets. The platform aims to maximize the matching of eligible Emiratis with private-sector companies.

Emirati Salary Support Scheme

This is ideal for those Emirati Nationals who want to train themselves to get a full-time job in the private sector. They are paid a difference between their current and target salary under this scheme.

TASC Overview

People are the backbone of any organization and finding the right talent can be a time-consuming and challenging process. This is where we at TASC come in. We are a leading Emiratisation recruitment agency in the United Arab Emirates. With over 17 years of experience, we are experts when it comes to talent in the UAE region. Having worked with organizations of different sizes from various verticals as well as the highest levels of the UAE government, we have the skill and expertise you require to achieve your Emiratisation targets.

We pride ourselves on a strong understanding of the local market and the various cultures present in the region. We apply this knowledge when it comes to scouting for the best talent for your organization.

Whether you’re a start-up looking to set your Emiratisation quota in motion or a large multinational corporation struggling with understanding the new legislature, as your UAE National Recruitment Agency, TASC to take care of this for you.

You can reach out to our team, and we will get back to you with customized solutions to your needs and help you navigate the world of Emiratisation

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How can we help?

If there is anything you'd like to know about what we do, how we do it, or how we can help you, please get in touch.

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