The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has urged private sector firms employing 50 or more workers to hit their Emiratisation targets before the end of the calendar year. Under the directive, covered companies must achieve a 2 per cent overall increase in Emiratisation rates during 2026, with an additional 1 per cent rise required specifically in skilled roles during the second half of the year. The deadline for meeting both targets is December 31.
Employers have been encouraged to use the national Nafis platform to recruit qualified Emirati talent, with the ministry stressing that the positions offered must be genuine and substantive rather than created merely to satisfy statistical quotas. Companies are also required to properly register new hires with pension and social insurance systems and ensure wages are paid on time.
The reminder comes amid a broader crackdown on Emiratisation compliance in the UAE. Authorities had previously announced legal action against dozens of companies found to have registered fake or non-existent Emirati employees in an attempt to appear compliant without actually hiring local talent — violations that can carry fines of up to Dh500,000.
Labour market observers say the ministry appears to be taking a more preventive approach this time, issuing an early reminder of the year-end deadline so firms have time to complete genuine recruitment and registration of Emirati staff through legitimate channels, rather than facing fines and legal consequences after the fact.