The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) revealed on November 29 that 894 private sector companies have been fined for violating Emiratisation rules since mid-2022.
The ministry said 1,267 Emiratis were appointed to fake Emiratisation posts.
However, 95 per cent of the country’s private companies have been found to comply with Emirates regulations.
Here are the actions taken against the violating companies:
- They are fined from D20,000 to D100,000 depending on the case
- Depending on the severity of the violation, some organizations were referred to public prosecution
- Companies are classified at the lowest level in MoHRE’s system
- They have to provide financial support to the Emirates and meet targets that they failed to achieve earlier
The Emiratis involved in the fake Emirates case have had their Nafis benefits suspended and the benefits they received earlier have been revoked.
Emiratisation is considered ‘fake’ when a UAE national is employed only to fulfill a firm’s objectives. In such cases the local employee has no real function or responsibility. An Emirati rehired in the same organization for falsifying information is also called a ‘faker’.
Earlier, MoHRE reminded private sector companies to meet their localization targets by December 31. Companies with 50 or more employees must have Emiratis in 4 percent of skilled roles by the end of this year.
Companies must add 2 percent of Emiratis to their workforce each year until 2026 By the end of last year, companies had to on-board UAE nationals in 2 percent of skilled roles. Earlier this year, a new process was announced, where the annual target is divided into two parts: add 1 percent in the first half of the year and 1 percent in the second.
The ministry urged the public to report violations of Emiratization through its call center at 600590000 or through the ministry’s smart app or website.
