Tougher penalties for people who use fake CVs and degree certificates to land jobs will clean up the job sector, recruiters said.
Job sector experts said they had seen fake university degrees and fabricated certificates in applications in recent years.
On Tuesday, the Federal National Council passed a draft law to punish people who use forged qualifications.
Such applicants could soon face two years in prison and a fine of up to Dh500,000 ($136,000). Under existing laws, someone could be charged with fraud, but such prosecutions are rare and members said there was a need for a specific legislation.
Using fake certificates is a blight on our industry and also on those people who have worked long and hard to obtain a degree
David Mackenzie, managing director of recruitment firm Mackenzie Jones, said the proposed legislation will deter unscrupulous job-seekers trying to gain an advantage over honest applicants.
People using a fake degree mistakenly or unknowingly could be fined up to Dh30,000 and could spend up to three months in jail.
Mr Mackenzie said qualifications are more important than experience and aptitude of candidates in the UAE job market, a practice that pushes many to use fake certificates.
“There is a reason it happens more often here than anywhere else in the world. To become a manager here, you have to have a degree,” Mr Mackenzie said.
“It’s part of the visa requirement and that’s why people feel the need to create fake degrees.
“It’s very much a cultural thing here. A degree is an entry point whereas in other countries, like the UK, degrees are less relevant to employers than experience in the marketplace.”
Mr Mackenzie said the new law will help candidates who are actually qualified to do the job.
Salary guide 2021 – in pictures
“It’s a blight on our industry and also on those people who have worked long and hard to obtain a degree,” he said.
Dodgy online universities with misleading titles take advantage of gullible students, he said.
“It’s very common for people here to want to study at legitimate universities from other countries,” Mr Mackenzie said.
“Some of these degree courses get a bad name because fake degrees are created with similar sounding names to try and trick people.
“Instead of being issued by Oxford University, for example, it will be called something similar, like Oxford University Campus, to mislead people into thinking it is genuine.”
Mr Mackenzie said he has met candidates who tried using fake degrees to get a job.
But potential employers could be more meticulous and prevent the use of fake degree certificates, he said.
“You can get certificates attested in embassies as well as check out the websites of the university that has issued the degree,” he said.
“You can log in, type in their names and dates to verify their claims.”
He also said bigger companies are better placed because they use advanced software to verify the authenticity of documents.
Companies often outsource reference and background checks to third parties.
Ian Jenkins, head of Middle East and Africa for recruiters Carter Murray, said using forged qualifications was not common in the UAE and less likely in the case of senior professionals.
“Once a candidate has a decade-plus of experience, their degree becomes less important and their experience speaks for itself,” said Mr Jenkins said.
"If a candidate had previously used a fake degree, it would probably become obvious by the time they reach director level and that would stop them rising to a leadership position.
“If anyone is thinking about this or similar deceptions in a hiring process, I would strongly recommend against it as you’re very likely to get caught. It will cost you your job and your reputation."
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The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).
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Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
More coverage from the Future Forum
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
