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UAE has highest population growth

DUBAI - The UAE has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, estimated at 5.6 per cent, and 45 per cent of the UAE population is less than 15 years of age.

These facts have been disclosed in a recent UAE human resources report that was released by the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority, Tanmia.

The report said that over 45 per cent of the total UAE population was less than 15 years of age, which is considered significant - a good indicator that points to the large number of nationals who will be entering the labour market in the next few years.

This high percentage is also a cue to the authorities that they should take measures to generate employment opportunities and suitable jobs to accommodate this expected increase in the ranks of the unemployed nationals.

Jebbel Ali Free Trade Zone (Jafza) has already responded to the growing demand for UAE national professionals in the workforce, which has been based on a survey recently conducted at the free zone in partnership with Tanmia.

Salma Hareb, Jafza's CEO, said: 'At Jafza, we fully understand the critical importance of emiratisation. Many of the UAE nationals employed with Jafza have demonstrated that, given support and appropriate training, they can achieve superior performance levels.'

Jafza, one of the largest and fastest growing free zones, was employing approximately 80,000 persons, of which only 500 were nationals. Tanmia's has database revealed that more than 25,000 UAE nationals were looking for jobs.

To bridge this gap, Jafza has been planning to introduce a 'Manpower Placement Services of UAE Nationals' to its clients in partnership with Tanmia. 'This plan is in line with our mission of offering our customers quality, value-added services. It is a win-win solution to both our clients and the UAE, as we are enhancing a dynamic and thriving business environment,' said Mohammed Al Jassmi, Head of Human Resources.

'We are committed to increase job opportunities, together with Tanmia's relentless efforts to ensure better employment prospects for UAE nationals by thorough, specialized training to achieve government's role of reducing unemployment amongst UAE nationals,' said Al Jassmi.

Companies operating at the free zone would benefit from this project. The training cost will be minimal. There would be no visa requirements. There would guaranteed manpower replacement and full government support. In all, a win-win situation, enhancing the economy by boosting employment levels and at the same time resolving employment concerns for companies operating at the free zone.

Jafza would liaise with its clients to identify job requirements in various sectors and at different levels, and would share this information with Tanmia, which, in turn, would nominate suitable candidates based on skills and competencies. This joint effort would result in generating direct employment for UAE nationals in the private sector.

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