The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has urged private sector companies employing 50 or more workers to meet the nationalization targets for the first half of 2025, which include a minimum growth rate of 1% in the number of citizens in skilled jobs as part of the overall skilled workforce by June 30.
Starting July 1, the ministry will assess companies’ compliance with the set targets, which includes registering Emirati hires with one of the social security funds and ensuring regular contributions. This is to avoid the financial penalties that will be imposed on non-compliant companies.
Frieda Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for National Talent Empowerment, stated that the positive outcomes in the job market and the accelerating economic growth in the country enhance the private sector’s capacity to fulfill its commitments regarding nationalization. This is in alignment with the strong partnership with the ministry and the “Nafis” program, which supports the implementation of nationalization policies and targets in the private sector.
She praised the private sector’s response to nationalization policies and its commitment to achieving the required targets, which has positively impacted this national initiative, resulting in a record number of over 136,000 Emiratis employed in the private sector across 28,000 companies by the end of April this year.
Confidence remains high that targeted companies will continue to achieve the set goals, especially by utilizing the electronic platform of the “Nafis” program, which is rich in qualified Emiratis ready to fill the targeted roles.
She also mentioned that the ministry will continue to offer benefits to companies that demonstrate exceptional results in nationalization by enrolling them in the Nationalization Partners Club. These companies can enjoy financial discounts of up to 80% on the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation fees and will have priority in the government procurement system, thereby enhancing their growth opportunities.
It’s important to note that the Ministry has established a digital monitoring system that efficiently detects negative practices, including attempts at fictitious nationalization or evasion of nationalization targets. This system has successfully identified approximately 2,200 companies that have violated nationalization decisions and policies since mid-2022 until April 2025 and has taken legal actions against them.
The ministry provides multiple channels for reporting any negative practices that contradict nationalization policies in the private sector, including contacting the call center at 600590000 or through the ministry’s mobile application and website.