UAE private sector given five years to make 10% of workforce Emirati


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Read also: Projects of the 50 - plan to get 75,000 Emiratis into private sector

Private sector employers across the UAE must ensure 10 per cent of their workforce is Emirati in the next five years.

The requirement was among a package of 13 projects and decrees designed to boost the number of Emiratis in the private sector by 75,000 in the next half-decade.

We will work together with the private sector in order to achieve this percentage
Ghannam Al Mazrouei,
Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council

These included paid training programmes, subsidies for Emiratis working in the private sector and support for local entrepreneurs looking to leave the public sector and start up their own companies.

The latest effort will aim to have Emiratis fill 10 per cent of skilled roles in private companies within five years.

Ghannam Al Mazrouei, general secretary of the newly formed Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, said the government had consulted with private companies, federal entities, young people and experts in human resources to come up with a national programme to achieve the 10 per cent target.

"We will work together with the private sector in order to achieve this percentage," Mr Al Mazrouei said.

"Unskilled labourers will not be counted, only the skilled labour will be within in our target.

"There will be lots of collaboration, meetings and workshops to help identify what the challenges are, and how we can help them to accelerate our highly talented UAE nationals into the private sector, in order to add value to the economy."

The government will support the cost of training citizens in the private sector for up to a year, with a monthly salary of Dh8,000 for university fees.

Separately, funding of Dh1.25bn has been allocated to train Emiratis and prepare them for specialised private sector roles, in partnership with the CFA Institute, Google Awards and the International Association of Business Analytics Certification.

Meanwhile practical training will be organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Bonuses for low-income Emiratis

Emiratis visit a jobs fair in Fujairah. Satish Kumar / The National
Emiratis visit a jobs fair in Fujairah. Satish Kumar / The National

The new plans also included strategies to encourage more Emiratis to choose the private over the public sector, where the vast majority work.

Financial incentives were announced by Mr Al Mazrouei, who said, "We want to motivate UAE nationals to work in the private sector."

"What we have seen in the last 50 years is that the private sector has contributed a lot, and now what we want is the private sector to lead the economy for the next 50 years, and to deploy more UAE nationals," he said.

These bonuses included a Dh5,000 monthly top-up for a period of five years for Emirati university graduates who take a role in a privately-owned company.

An allowance of Dh800 per child per month will also be paid to Emirati parents, up to a maximum amount of Dh3,200 per family, for people on salaries under Dh20,000.

Pensions for those in lower paid jobs will also be supplemented by government funds for the next five years.

If an Emirati should lose their job in the private sector, they will be supported by the state for up to six months, while they look for a new role.

Meanwhile, Emirati nationals working in specialised fields in the private sector, such as programmers, nurses, accountants, and others will receive a fixed bonus of Dh5,000 per month above their salary for a period of five years.

Nevin Lewis, the chief executive of Black and Grey Human Resources in the UAE, said the salary supplements would make all the difference.

“Now the bonus from the government acts as an equaliser, Emirati jobseekers would be open to positions that offer learning and growth opportunities,” said Mr Lewis.

A head start for entrepreneurs

Ghannam Al Mazrouei, general secretary of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council announces details of how the UAE plan to entice more Emiratis into the private sector. Victor Besa / The National.
Ghannam Al Mazrouei, general secretary of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council announces details of how the UAE plan to entice more Emiratis into the private sector. Victor Besa / The National.

Emiratis in public sector employment, and those nearing retirement were also encouraged to leave their current jobs, and set up their own companies.

As of next year, federal government employees can take a six or 12-month sabbatical on 50 per cent pay so as to start their own business, and employees aged over 50 can take early retirement to do the same.

Enterprising graduates will also be supported by the government, in partnership with local universities, said Mr Al Mazrouei.

"The leadership have assigned Dh1billion to be allocated for young entrepreneurs. This is a signal from the leadership that we will support all of these young entrepreneurs so they can add value to the local economy."

These 13 policies were the second batch from the UAE's 50 Projects for the future, which was first announced on September 2.

Business leaders invited to the launch praised the initiative. Alain Bejjani, the CEO of the mall operator, Majid Al Futtaim, which employs thousands of staff in the UAE described the initiatives as "thoroughly thought-out and well-prepared".

"We believe that localisation brings a competitive advantage for private sector, and the private sector has not just a role to play, but actually a benefit to gain out of localisation and this is why at Majid Al Futtaim, we've always been going down that road," said Mr Bejjani, who is from Lebanon.

Emiratis looking to find out more about the new incentives can visit the Nafis website. The next collection of policies are due to be launched on Sunday.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

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RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Al%20Bateen%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Ma%E2%80%99Aly%20Al%20Shahania%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%20(jockey)%2C%20Mohamed%20Daggash%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khaleej%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Rami%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Bant%20Al%20Emarat%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%2C%20Qaiss%20Aboud%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Al%20Nahyan%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Rasam%2C%20Marcelino%20Rodrigues%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Karamah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Zafaranah%2C%20Bernardo%20Pinheiro%2C%20Musabah%20Al%20Muhairi%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Salam%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Nibras%20Passion%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ismail%20Mohammed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi

6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle

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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.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
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  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
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Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Company info

Company name: Entrupy 

Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist

Based: New York, New York

Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.  

Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius. 

Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place. 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

MATCH INFO

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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Votes

Total votes: 1.8 million

Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes

Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes 

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

The specs

Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel

Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry

Power: 1877bhp

Torque: 2300Nm

Price: Dh7,500,00

On sale: Now

 

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Updated: September 13, 2021, 11:17 AM`