UAE private sector companies have just a few more days to hit mid-year Emiratisation targets or they will be fined.
Businesses with at least 50 employees must ensure that 3 per cent of their workforce is comprised of Emiratis by Friday to avoid paying penalties.
The deadline was extended from June 30 to allow for the Eid Al Adha break.
Employers that fail to achieve the goal will be fined Dh42,000 (about $11,400) for each Emirati role not filled, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation previously announced.
These measures apply to skilled positions. Companies in free zones are exempt from the scheme, but are encouraged to participate.
In February, the government announced that companies must increase their proportion of Emirati workers by 1 per cent every six months.
Previously, they had been mandated to boost the number of citizens employed by 2 per cent by the end of each year.
Eligible employers are expected to meet a 4 per cent target by the end of this year, rising to 6 per cent in 2024, 8 per cent in 2025 and 10 per cent by the end of 2026.
The government is determined to increase local participation in the private sector, saying it remains central to the economic prosperity of the country.
Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said in May that the number of Emiratis working in the private sector had reached 66,000, with more than 10,000 hired in the first three months of this year.
He said the encouraging figures underscored the ministry's commitment to bolstering the private sector's Emirati workforce.
The minister has previously stated that the UAE's focus on harnessing local talent would transform the country's labour landscape.
“The labour market in the UAE is entering a new phase that focuses on the central role of national human capital within the private sector," Mr Al Awar said in December.
"The skilled Emirati employees, who constitute most Emirati employees registered within the ministry’s system, are proving their positive effects on the economy.
"We are on the verge of fundamental changes in the country's labour market in line with increasing the participation of citizens and improving the competitiveness of the local business environment.
"This is in light of the support provided by Nafis programme for Emirati cadres and private sector establishments, along with the ministry's follow-up to implement regulations and resolutions aimed at increasing the participation of citizens in the private sector."
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
'Nightmare Alley'
Director:Guillermo del Toro
Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Rating: 3/5
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
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The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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Price: On request
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
