Companies with 50 or more employees must ensure a 1% increase in Emirati hires in skilled roles or face financial penalties, as the Ministry begins compliance checks in July
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a clear reminder to private sector companies with 50 or more employees: meet the Emiratisation targets for the first half of 2025 by June 30 or face financial penalties.
As part of the national initiative to strengthen the presence of Emirati talent in the private sector, eligible companies are required to achieve at least a 1% growth in the number of UAE citizens employed in skilled roles, based on their total skilled workforce.
Compliance Checks Begin in July
Starting July 1, the MoHRE will begin the verification process to assess whether companies have met the stipulated requirements. This includes confirming the registration of employed Emiratis with an approved social security fund and the consistent payment of social contributions. Non-compliant companies will be subject to financial penalties.
A Growing Partnership for National Talent
Farida Al Ali, Assistant Under-Secretary of National Talents at MoHRE, highlighted the UAE’s robust economic performance and its role in enabling companies to meet their Emiratisation obligations. She praised the strong cooperation between the Ministry and the Nafis programme, which has been instrumental in implementing Emiratisation policies effectively across the private sector.
Al Ali acknowledged the growing private sector commitment, revealing that as of April 2025, more than 136,000 Emiratis were employed across 28,000 private companies. She expressed optimism about continued progress, supported by the extensive database of qualified Emirati candidates available on the Nafis platform.
Rewards for High-Performing Companies
To incentivize further progress, MoHRE offers exclusive benefits to companies that exceed their Emiratisation targets. These include membership in the Emiratisation Partners Club, which offers advantages such as:
- Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
- Priority placement in the federal government procurement system
These rewards aim to not only recognize outstanding efforts but also help boost business growth for proactive companies.
Tackling Non-Compliance Through Digital Oversight
In an effort to curb dishonest practices like “fake Emiratisation” — where companies manipulate records to appear compliant — the Ministry has deployed a cutting-edge digital field inspection system. Since mid-2022, this system has flagged around 2,200 violators, all of whom are now subject to legal measures.
The Emiratisation initiative remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s strategy to diversify its workforce and provide sustainable employment opportunities for its citizens. With the June 30 deadline fast approaching, private sector firms are being called upon to actively support this national priority—or risk falling behind.
