UAE to implement Emiratisation across job categories by January 2017

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has completed preparations required to implement two key resolutions on Emiratisation of positions of data entry operators and occupational health and safety officers starting January 2017.

Ministry officials the said lists of qualified Emiratis who can fill up these jobs had been sent to targeted employers for selection.

Farida Al Ali, Assistant Under-Secretary for Emiratisation at the ministry, said the resolutions would be enforced as part of the ministry's strategy to support Emiratisation in the private sector by providing more job opportunities for national human resources in line with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda.

''The resolutions promote the principle of public-private partnership and empower the private sector companies to fill their social and national responsibilities towards the Emiratisation policy,'' she said at a forum organised by the ministry to explain the latest measures to representatives of targeted companies.

''Companies employing 1,000 or more employees are demanded to register on the ministry's electronic system, Tasheel, and to employ at least two Emirati employees to access that system,'' she explained.

''Companies registered with Tas’heel's online services and employ over 1,000 workers will be required to hire Emirati citizens for the ‘Data Entry’ positions starting 2017, she explained

There are 375 major companies that employ over 1000 workers, according to the ministry’s database.

Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said that any violations shall cost the company additional work permits.

"This new decree aims to provide job opportunities for our citizens, something which aids the ongoing private sector Emiratisation process," he added.

The other resolution requires construction and industrial sector employers, with a workforce of 500 or more persons, to employ an Emirati health and safety officer.

''Failure to comply with this new requirement will mean that no new work permits will be granted until an Emirati is employed in the occupational health and safety role and the ministry can also impose penalties under existing regulations,'' she said.

UAE students can now train at private sector firms

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has recently launched an online students’ training form which enables them to enroll in the private sector for training purposes based on decree No. 713 of 2016 issued by Saqr Ghobash, the Minister.

Aisha Belharfia, Director of Labour Offices Department in Dubai, said “The students' free electronic form can be found on the ministry’s website www.mohre.gov.ae and its smartphone app ‘Wajjehni’ which is available on the Apple Store, Play Store, and BlackBerry Store.”

“To pursue a training course at one of the private sector companies, first of all the company must be cleared from any irregularities and the student must be over 12 and less than 18- years old,” she said.

While on the other hand, students applying for ‘juvenile work permits’ must be aged between 15 to 18, applications could be found through Tas’heel service centres or the ministry’s smartphone app.

The training program lasts for three months from the starting date, the contract shall be submitted to the ministry for approval prior to the signature from both ends, the e-signature card is considered obligatory to process the company’s request to enroll the students.

To apply for the training form, students must attach their passport copy (for locals), passport and residency copy for non-locals, applicants must also attach a none objection letter from their parents or guardians, personal photos, in addition to the signed agreement between the students and the employing company.

If both ends seek to extend the training period they must apply for a new application, otherwise if the company seeks to end the relation, a cancellation form request can be submitted to the ministry before the contract expiry date.