UAE Human Resources begins localizing 12,000 companies through Nafs
Human Resources and Emiratization” begins applying Emiratization targets to more than 12,000 private ، In accordance with the Cabinet’s decision
.companies in 14 specified economic activities with 20–49 employees.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has commenced the implementation of the Cabinet’s decision to expand the companies covered by Emiratization targets. These companies, employing between 20 and 49 workers, exceed 12,000 and operate in 14 specified economic activities.
The decision entails appointing at least one Emirati employee in 2024 and another in 2025.
The ministry recently informed its digital system to the companies, totaling over 12,000, of the necessity to comply with the decision, providing them sufficient opportunity to achieve the required targets.
The mentioned companies operate in 14 specific economic activities, including information technology, financial activities, insurance activities, real estate, professional, scientific, and technical activities, administrative and support services, education, human health and social work activities, arts and entertainment, mining and quarrying, manufacturing industries, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, accommodation, and hospitality services.
These activities are experiencing rapid growth and have the capacity to provide jobs and a suitable working environment.
The Ministry called on the companies covered by the decision to “quickly achieve Emiratization targets and not delay until the end of the year to fulfill the requirements.”
It emphasized the importance for targeted companies to register on the “Nafis” platform to benefit from the program’s support in supplying the private sector with qualified Emirati personnel capable of efficiently working in various targeted economic sectors and to avail other benefits.
The Ministry confirmed the continuation of training workshops to educate companies covered by the decision on the mechanisms for achieving the required targets and how to benefit from the support provided by “Nafis.”
Financial contributions will be imposed annually on companies that fail to achieve the required targets,
amounting to AED 96,000 per non-appointed Emirati citizen starting from January 2025 for the year 2024. Additionally, financial contributions of AED 108,000 will be imposed in January 2026 for the year 2025. Companies are allowed to stagger the payment of contributions by agreement with the Ministry.
Emiratization targets are applied to companies with 20 to 49 employees simultaneously with the continued application of Emiratization targets for companies with 50 or more employees, requiring them to achieve an annual growth rate of 2% in Emiratizing their skilled positions.