A private company in Abu Dhabi has been fined Dh10 million for failing to adhere to Emiratisation standards in the private sector, authorities announced on Monday.
The Abu Dhabi Misdemeanour Court found that the company attempted to circumvent Emiratisation targets by appointing 113 Emirati citizens in fictitious roles.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) discovered severe breaches in the company’s Emiratisation procedures and referred the case to the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution for investigation.
The investigation revealed that the company had issued work permits and registered employees in non-existent positions to falsely report the employment of UAE nationals. This misconduct was a direct violation of the Nafis programme, which provides benefits and incentives to encourage Emiratis to join private-sector jobs.
After a thorough review, the court convicted the company of non-compliance with Emiratisation policies and engaging in fraudulent employment practices.
The UAE remains dedicated to enforcing Emiratisation regulations and ensuring genuine job opportunities for Emirati citizens in the private sector. The Nafis programme has been pivotal in motivating Emiratis to seek employment in private companies.
Under Emiratisation regulations, private companies must increase their Emirati workforce by two percent annually, aiming to reach a minimum of 10 percent by 2026. The target is split into two parts: one percent in the first half of the year and another one percent in the second half.
Since July 1, the Ministry has been actively checking companies’ compliance. Firms failing to meet the targets must pay a fine of Dh48,000 for each Emirati not hired in the first six months. The fine is calculated at Dh8,000 per month per person and increases by Dh1,000 each year.
Regular inspections are conducted to ensure adherence to these regulations. From mid-2022 until May 16 this year, more than 1,300 companies were found violating Emiratisation rules.
Since the launch of the federal initiative in September 2021, the total number of Emirati employees in the private sector has grown by approximately 170 percent, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to increasing the employability of Emiratis in the country’s private sector.
