Sheikh Mohammed's 10 steps for Emiratisation; here's how it affects expats

Abu Dhabi - Training programmes will be designed to build and develop 18,000 national cadres over the next three years.

The UAE Cabinet adopted 10 strategic resolutions to support Emiratisation on Sunday during a meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

The new resolutions are part of the outcomes of the committee, chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to implement the 'Letter of the New Season', which seeks to reinforce the country's economic and community performance in all sectors.

The resolutions were issued during the Cabinet meeting attended by Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, "The UAE will keep attracting global talents, the key driving force to our economy. We will support the private sector to achieve balance in our job market and our fast-growing economy will keep providing millions of opportunities for Emiratis and residents."

"Human capital is the fuel of nations. Uniting efforts of our national cadres and foreign talents will accelerate our journey towards the future," Sheikh Mohammed said.

During the meeting, the cabinet also approved the amendment of the Federal Bankruptcy Law and approved hosting the World Conference on Creative Economy as part of Expo 2020 Dubai.

According to the UAE Cabinet, the 10 resolutions that support Emiratisation in ministries, federal entities, federal and local government and semi-government organizations among other economic sectors include:

1. Issuing regulations and setting new targets to provide 20,000 job opportunities for Emiratis in strategic sectors including civil aviation, telecommunications, banking, insurance and real estate development sectors over the next three years, with an average of 6,700 jobs annually. Following an extensive plan, Emirati employees shall be integrated in positions that meet their skills and expertise in vital sectors.

2. Allocating a Dh300 million fund to create specialised training programmes that prepare and empower Emirati jobseekers with theoretical and applied skills to enhance performance in all sectors. The programmes will contribute to nurturing necessary skills and empowering Emiratis to offer an added value to the private sector, which plays an integral role in the country's development.

3. Adopting a new system to train 8,000 Emiratis graduates annually in government, semi-government and private entities for 6-12 months with a Dh10,000 salary, 40 percent of which will be covered by the government.

4. Launching specialised diplomas across Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE to prepare and train Emiratis for the workplace. Training programmes will be designed to build and develop 18,000 national cadres over the next three years.

5. Allocating a portion of VAT revenues, on the federal and local level, to creating graduate development programmes that empower and build new skills.

6. Opening up job opportunities for Emiratis in administrative and supervisory roles across ministries and federal entities, ensuring the selection of suitable candidates with the necessary skills and capabilities to fulfil their roles.

7. Amending labour and pension laws to equalise pensions and benefits for Emirati employees in the government, semi-government and private sectors. The amendment will unify the mechanism in calculating pensions, benefits and previous service additions in government and private sector to encourage Emirati employees to expand their career options in the private sector to gain new skills.

8. Forming a committee that includes the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, the General Pension and Social Security Authority and Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund to develop mechanisms that encourage and monitor national employment across UAE companies.

9. Entities and companies in the strategic sectors with low number of Emirati employees will be encouraged to support national skill development programmes.

10. Setting an annual index to measure Emiratisation across all sectors. The government will provide exceptional incentives to entities that facilitate job opportunities for nationals. The Cabinet shall hold an annual ceremony to reward CEOs and entrepreneurs who support Emiratisation.

The Cabinet has assigned the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation the task to implement the 10 resolutions, in coordination with the executive councils. The Cabinet will receive quarterly reports to follow up the progress.
Move will fix imbalance in market, say Emiratis
By Ahmed Shaaban
Emiratis across the country have welcomed the decision of the UAE Cabinet to secure 20,000 jobs for them.
Mona Al Raeesi, writer
"Emiratisation has always been a tough file in which several Emiratis had lost hope. However, the prudent UAE leadership believes this file has to be seriously handled. More attention has to be given to the sectors where the percentage of Emiratis is low. Some specific jobs have to be necessarily nationalised."
Hissa Saif, FNC candidate, Ras Al Khaimah
"Such decisions prove that the UAE government is one of action and achievements, not of words and slogans. Employment among skilled Emirati nationals has been a long-ignored problem. With a fund of Dh300 million for training, there is no excuse for any Emirati job-seeker or employers."
Khaled Almarzooqi, Ajman resident
"This is a timely decision by Sheikh Mohammed. We are in a dire need for such a critical resolution that puts things in the right order and fixes the current imbalance in the labour market. This paradigm shift will bring happiness to Emiratis and ensure their job security."
Yousif Alahmed, Sharjah resident
"This decision has come at the right time. To secure over 20,000 jobs for Emiratis in the banking, aviation, telecommunications, insurance and real estate sectors over the next three years will definitely boost the private sector with competent national cadres. These national talents will be an added value to these sectors."
Ahmed Saaed Al Kaabi, Ajman resident
"To provide over 20,000 jobs for Emirati nationals is a quantum leap. But to provide them with training to be up to these jobs and others is something smarter and reflects the deep insight of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid."
Dr Hamed Jassim Al Zaabi, Professor of Communications, University of Sharjah
"Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has put Emiratis at the top of priorities of the UAE government. Emiratis are an integral part of the process of economic development. The government spares no effort to empower and support national cadres and qualify them for keeping abreast with the economic boom of the country."