What are the Emiratisation targets for private companies in the UAE?
Companies with 50 or more employees must achieve 2% annual growth of Emirati employees in skilled positions, according to MOHRE. Companies with 20 to 49 employees in specified economic activities must recruit at least one UAE national and retain those already employed. MOHRE monitors compliance every year.
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What counts
The target is growth in skilled positions, not headcount in any role. A contractor with 300 workers counts its Emirati staff in skilled roles against the 2% annual growth requirement, not against its labour force on site.
Penalties
MOHRE publishes the financial contributions for missed targets and fines for circumvention through its announcements, and the figures have changed over time. Check MOHRE's current announcement before budgeting, rather than relying on an older figure.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Employee records hold nationality and designation, so HR can count Emirati staff in skilled roles at any date and see the gap to the year's target.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A contractor with 200 employees and 4 Emiratis in skilled positions at the start of the year must add Emiratis in skilled roles equal to 2% growth for that year, around four more, to meet the target.
Questions people ask
Which companies must grow by 2%?
Those with 50 or more employees.
Do smaller companies have a target?
Companies with 20 to 49 employees in specified activities must employ at least one UAE national.
Does any role count?
MOHRE's target refers to skilled positions.