Salary gap is main challenge for Emirati jobseekers in pvt sector

Abu Dhabi - The concerns over job opportunities were raised in an FNC meeting today.

Emiratis are less drawn to working in the private sector, because there is a huge gap between the salaries in the public and private sectors, heard the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday.
The FNC members raised their concerns over Emiratisaiton and the number of unemployment among qualified Emiratis to Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The concerns over job opportunities were raised to the minister at the FNC meeting on Tuesday evening, chaired by Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the council.
The meeting lasted until the early hours of Wednesday morning, after members made 14 recommendations to the ministry, in order to increase the recruitment of Emiratis in the country.
FNC members said the immense difference in job incentives between the private and public sectors is considered one of the main challenges facing Emiratisation. The committee recommended that the ministry should address the issue by bridging the wage gap.
Moreover, the committee said the difference in annual leaves, public holidays and working hours in the public and private sectors are other factors that lead to the lack of Emiratis wanting to be employed in the private sector.
Furthermore, the committee said the retirement pension in the private sector has a cap of just Dh50,000, whereas the same for the public sector is Dh300,000 per year.
The FNC said there is no federal law that regulates the work of Emiratis in the job market, and have thus urged the ministry to issue a law that helps boost the number of Emiratis employed in the private sector.
FNC member Salem Al Shehhi raised his concern to the minister about the Emiratisation and job opportunities.
He asked about the ministry's future plans, and what it is planning to achieve by 2050.
"You are here, as the minister, for maybe two or three years," Al Shehhi said.
"But what are the plans and initiatives for the future, 30 years from today?" He asked.
Al Shehhi pointed out that the ministry should work along with the Ministry of Education, in order to raise awareness among students about working in the private sector.
"We cannot just surprise these young people after they graduate, that they don't have a spot in the job market."
However, Al Hamli said the ministry is launching an initiative in September for the recruitment of Emiratis.
"The job opportunities are not just for university graduates, but for high school graduates and those with lower degrees."
Moreover, Al Hamli said that the ministry is now targeting another 400 jobs, which will give priority to Emiratis - further than the previous 2,000 jobs announced earlier this year.
Meanwhile, FNC members also raised their concerns over the number of unemployed women in the UAE.
"You should not forget about the women. I know many women who are just sitting at home getting social aid, because they are not qualified," said Naama Al Sharhan.
"Why doesn't the ministry educate and train them?"
The minister said the government focuses on the empowerment of women and the ministry will therefore launch an initiative with the Ministry of Community Development, to help increase employment among women in the country.
"The initiative will provide job opportunities and will also train women for the jobs that they need to be qualified for."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE