Private sector companies in the UAE must ensure that within five years, 10 per cent of their workforce is Emirati
Latest: Employers must offer jobs with ‘real career growth’ to attract Emiratis, say recruiters
A series of major projects to boost the UAE’s economy and development were revealed on Sunday.
At Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, ministers set out the latest 13 items in the ‘Projects of the 50’ plan.
These relate to boosting the country’s human capital and increasing the number of Emiratis employed in the private sector.
All private sector companies in the UAE should have a workforce that is at least 10 per cent Emirati in five years’ time.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, were present as the new projects were revealed.
Financial incentives for Emiratis in the private sector
One of the first to be announced was a plan to spend up to Dh24 billion ($6.53bn) on getting 75,000 Emiratis into private sector jobs, Mr Al Gergawi said.
UAE citizens will be offered a series of incentives to choose private sector work.
University graduates will be encouraged to take up jobs in the private sector, with the government offering to boost their salary to make the decision more attractive.
For example, the government will top up an Emirati graduate’s private sector salary by Dh5,000 a month, and make support payments for his or her children.
A separate plan will allow federal government employees to take a sabbatical on 50 per cent of their salary to start a business. Another will provide financial grants to encourage Emiratis over the age of 50 who take early retirement to start a businesses.
The 13 latest projects
1) Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council: With Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed as chairman and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, as vice chairman, the council brings together representatives across federal government. It is tasked with strengthening private sector partnerships and implementing projects to provide 75,000 private sector jobs for Emiratis.
2) Emirati Salary Support Scheme: A grant contributing to the recruitment and training costs of Emirati graduates in the private sector, with a monthly top-up of up to Dh8,000 for graduates during the first year of training and a monthly top-up of up to Dh5,000 for five years after recruitment. Top-ups are conditional and based on a range of defined target salaries. READ MORE
