Emiratis have spoken about their “amazing” experiences in the workplace, as part of the UAE’s drive to increase the number of locals in the private sector.
The National spoke to citizens who were working for private companies, having worked in the public sector until recently.
They are among almost 80,000 UAE nationals working for private companies. That figure has increased by 30,000 in the past six months alone, fuelled by the country’s drive to get local talent into private businesses.
Emirati Suhaila Al Hammadi, 26, is at the start of a teaching career that she describes as an “amazing” opportunity.
“I want to keep learning so I can motivate and help the children,” the teacher at Al Rayana School in Abu Dhabi told The National.
“I have a passion to obtain more knowledge and skills that will make me more respected as a professional.”
Ms Al Hammadi took up her new role earlier this year, having worked for government and private schools in the past.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 2021.
The opportunity to soak up the experience and expertise of colleagues from other cultures was a key factor in her decision to take up her role, she said.
“The training, and working with educational professionals, helps me advance my capabilities as a teacher,” said Ms Al Hammadi.
“This will increase the chance of my students gaining more knowledge from me.”
The latest figures for Emiratis in the private sector were released on Sunday after the deadline passed for companies with 50 or more employees to meet a 3 per cent Emiratisation target or risk Dh500,000 fines.
The government announced in February that firms were required to increase the proportion of Emirati workers by 1 per cent every six months.
This means they must reach a 4 per cent total by the end of this year, 6 per cent by the end of 2024, 8 per cent the following year and 10 per cent by the close of 2026.
Opportunity knocks
Athari Al Hosani, 25, is a guest services executive at Burjeel Medical City, a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
She takes home a monthly salary of Dh10,000, helped by the Nafis scheme, which provides a monthly salary top-up of Dh5,000 to Dh,7000.
““I had applied everywhere before I got this job,” said Ms Al Hosani, who holds a diploma in environmental safety.
“All I want is to work in my field. We are grateful to find employment and any job is better than nothing, but a job in my field of study would be ideal.
“Many Emiratis want government jobs, but I just want a job in my field.”
Ms Al Hosani began her current role in November last year.
Also working in the same hospital is Abdulla Al Hammadi, 28.
He was hired four months ago, coinciding with his wife giving birth to their first child.
Before joining Burjeel, the high school graduate had worked for a number of private companies, with his last stint being with a company manufacturing elevators.
“I was the only UAE national there,” he said. “I am always looking for a better opportunity, and I know I have been lucky to be able to find a job, but I must say that a part of it is down to how I apply myself.”
Whether Mr Al Hammadi remains at his current job remains to be seen.
“The private sector is a great place to grow and develop your skills, and it is time for Emiratis to be in the private sector,” he said.
“I don’t think without the Nafis support they would have joined in such large numbers.”
With the Nafis top-up, Mr Al Hammadi earns Dh12,000.
Changing perceptions
“Companies are starting to change their perception of Emiratis in the workplace,” David MacKenzie, group managing director with recruiters Mackenzie Jones, told The National.
“There is a lot of great (Emirati) talent emerging who are more concerned about how they can develop personally and progress their career than anything else.”
One of the challenges that remain is for companies to make themselves attractive to potential Emirati employees, he said.
“To make yourself attractive as an employer, you have to show Emiratis you have a plan for what the future looks like,” said Mr Mackenzie.
“You have to be able to show them how you can help to develop their careers and become better employees.”
Another employment expert said the Emiratisation programme was an opportunity for expats to give something back to the UAE.
“We should always be aware as expats that we are here to give back to the country,” said Claire Donnelly, senior consultant with Mike Hoff Consulting.
“In many ways, we are here to pass on our talent and experience and train up the Emiratis to the required standard to take over from us.”
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E3.30pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%203%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20%2475%2C000%20(Dirt)%202%2C000m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Jugurtha%20De%20Monlau%2C%20Pat%20Dobbs%20(jockey)%2C%20Jean-Claude%20Pecout%20(trainer)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.05pm%3A%20Dubai%20City%20Of%20Gold%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C410m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Global%20Storm%2C%20William%20Buick%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.40pm%3A%20Burj%20Nahaar%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Discovery%20Island%2C%20James%20Doyle%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.15pm%3A%20Nad%20Al%20Sheba%20Turf%20Sprint%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Al%20Dasim%2C%20Mickael%20Barzalona%2C%20George%20Boughey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.50pm%3A%20Al%20Bastakiya%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20%24170%2C000%20(D)%201%2C900m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Go%20Soldier%20Go%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Fawzi%20Nass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.25pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%203%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(TB)%20%24450%2C000%20(D)%202%2C000m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Salute%20The%20Soldier%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Fawzi%20Nass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.10pm%3A%20Ras%20Al%20Khor%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20%24300%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Al%20Suhail%2C%20William%20Buick%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.45pm%3A%20Jebel%20Hatta%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(TB)%20%24350%2C000%20(T)%201%2C800m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Alfareeq%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E8.20pm%3A%20Mahab%20Al%20Shimaal%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Sound%20Money%2C%20Mickael%20Barzalona%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Tentative schedule of 2017/18 Ashes series
1st Test November 23-27, The Gabba, Brisbane
2nd Test December 2-6, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
3rd Test Dcember 14-18, Waca, Perth
4th Test December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
5th Test January 4-8, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)
Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldof v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)
Sunday
Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
RESULT
Chelsea 2
Willian 13'
Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0
