UAE Private Companies Seek Help From Recruiters To Achieve Emiratization Targets

Private companies in the UAE are scrambling to hit their Emiratization targets by the end of the year. The target, which applies to businesses with at least 50 employees, is set to ensure that at least 2% of their workforce are Emiratis by Jan. 1, 2023.

The UAE's push for Emiratization is in line with its drive to encourage more Emiratis to enter the private sector. Employers that fail to reach the target by the deadline will have to pay a fine of Dh72,000 to the government for each Emirati worker they fail to hire. The fine should be paid over the course of 12 months at Dh6,000 a month.

With the deadline fast-approaching, recruiters said they have been receiving pleas from private businesses to help them hit their Emiratization targets. Samantha Wright, Managing Consultant for Emiratization, told The National they're scrambling to hire more Emiratis to fill in vacant positions in several companies.

"We've been inundated over the last few weeks with companies asking for our 'urgent' help to hire UAE national talent at graduate and entry level and as we're approaching the 2022 deadline," she said.

Wright also revealed there is no shortage of Emirati talent in the country and that local workers have been keen to switch from government to private companies.

"We've seen a really interesting switch across the market—I'm speaking to many UAE nationals who are actually looking to leave their government roles and are actively seeking opportunities within the private sector—at both the junior and senior ends of the candidate market," she said.

She explained that the Emiratization will help push Emirati talent across broader industries, including retail and health care, where the number of Emirati workers is smaller compared to banking and insurance. She also cautioned companies, which hope the government would extend the Emiratization deadline.

"I do not feel there will be an extension," she said. "I think we've all had a clear target date of Jan. 1, 2023, it has been well publicized, with both support and training offered. I think in some cases there have been some implementational challenges, situations where some companies have needed to make practical adjustments."