3 days left: UAE private sector must meet 1% Emirati workforce target by July 1

Private sector companies in the UAE employing 50 or more workers have until Monday, July 1, 2025, to meet the mid-year Emiratisation targets, according to a final reminder issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

The directive urges companies to ensure that at least 1% of their skilled workforce comprises Emiratis for the first half of the year, part of the UAE’s strategic national plan to increase Emirati participation in the private sector.

Starting July 1, MoHRE will begin comprehensive compliance checks, verifying whether:

• Hired Emiratis are registered with approved pension funds
  
  
• Monthly contributions to those funds are being paid correctly
  
  

Companies failing to meet the target will incur financial penalties of Dh9,000 per month for each Emirati not hired according to the quota.

Record Progress and New Expectations
The UAE has seen record-breaking progress in its Emiratisation efforts. As of end-April 2025, over 136,000 Emiratis were employed in the private sector across 28,000 companies, marking a historic milestone, the ministry noted.

Farida Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for National Talent Empowerment at MoHRE, highlighted the strong collaboration between the private sector and Emiratisation initiatives, especially the Nafis platform, which links companies with qualified Emirati job seekers.

“The private sector’s positive response has yielded record-breaking results in this vital national file,” Farida said, reaffirming the ministry’s confidence in further progress.

Incentives for Compliant Companies
Companies demonstrating exceptional Emiratisation performance will receive a range of government incentives, including:

• Membership in the Emiratisation Partners Club
  
  
• Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
  
  
• Priority in government procurement contracts
  
  

These incentives are designed to further boost national workforce integration and reward firms contributing meaningfully to the Emiratisation mandate.

Strict Oversight and Reporting Channels
MoHRE has warned that non-compliant practices, including falsifying Emiratisation data or fake employment records, will be met with strict administrative and financial penalties. The ministry uses advanced digital tools and field inspections to monitor compliance and has already penalised several companies for violations. Companies or individuals can report violations through the MoHRE mobile app, the official MoHRE website, or by calling the contact centre at 600590000.

Separate Requirement for Smaller Firms
MoHRE also reminded smaller firms with 20 to 49 employees that they are required to hire at least one Emirati before December 31, 2025. This rule applies to more than 12,000 companies operating in 14 key economic sectors, including:

• Information and communications
  
  
• Financial services
  
  
• Healthcare
  
  
• Real estate
  
  
• Manufacturing
  
  
• Transportation and logistics
  
  
• Hospitality
  
  
• Education
  
  

Electronic notifications have already been sent, and companies are expected to act promptly.