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UAE takes legal action against private firms over 377 fake Emiratisation cases
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation recorded the cases across 266 private-sector companies during the first half of 2026
- PUBLISHED: Tue 22 Sept 2026, 11:46 AM UPDATED: Tue 22 Sept 2026, 12:12 PM
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) recorded 377 cases of fake Emiratisation across 266 private-sector companies during the first half of 2026.
The ministry said the cases identified were limited negative practices and did not represent a widespread phenomenon in the UAE labour market.
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It urged companies and Emirati citizens to comply with Emiratisation policies and report suspected cases through its hotline, smart app or website.
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Fake Emiratisation refers to companies hiring UAE nationals and registering them as employees to meet Emiratisation requirements without providing genuine employment. While an employment contract may be signed, the employee is not given actual duties or responsibilities.
MoHRE said fake Emiratisation can have wider consequences, including distorting labour market and Emiratisation indicators, wasting resources and incentives intended to support genuine employment, and depriving serious jobseekers of real employment and career development opportunities. It can also disadvantage companies that genuinely invest in attracting, training and developing Emirati talent.
The ministry said the goal of Emiratisation policies and programmes is to build a productive and sustainable Emirati workforce in the private sector and enable citizens to contribute actively to the UAE’s economic and development journey, particularly in priority sectors.
On August 20, MoHRE said it had detected 405 cases of fake Emiratisation at private-sector companies during the first half of 2025, with legal action taken against those involved.
The government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards fake Emiratisation. Last year, a company found to have bypassed Emiratisation targets by appointing 113 citizens to fictitious roles was fined Dh10 million.
The ministry said field inspections and its digital monitoring system played a key role in identifying such practices and reaffirmed that it would take firm action against companies that fail to comply with Emiratisation policies and regulations.
