UAE: Skilled Emiratis in private sector paid equal to expats for the same job, study shows – News

More than 50,000 nationals are now working in the private sector and 28,700 have joined the ‘Nafis’ scheme since its inception

The average salary of a UAE national working in a skilled job in any company in the private sector is almost equal to or not lower than the salary assigned to other non-UAE employees doing the same job and similar tasks, according to a government study.

Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-l Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, confirmed that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) recently conducted an extensive study on wages in the private sector of the country’s labor market.

He stressed that MoHRE does not accept wage discrimination between citizen and non-citizen (foreign) employees.

“The study confirms that, apart from the privileges and additional financial support granted to UAE employees by the government through Nafis programs and initiatives, there is a great deal of parity between the salaries of UAE national employees and their expatriate colleagues working in the private sector, both in terms of vocational training and or during employment, they are encouraged to join jobs in the private sector,” Al Awar said.

The Minister explained that the question of finding jobs with salaries suitable for job seekers was left to supply and demand in the country’s labor market – which is one of the best in the world and enjoys unprecedented growth indicators, as reflected in the continued increase in Percentage of private companies registered with the Ministry.

“Supporting UAE cadres is one of the UAE’s top priorities [the] The UAE’s wise leadership is passionate about providing a decent life for its citizens, raising their standard of living, and increasing employment opportunities in the private sector,” said Al Awar.

He noted that the private sector remains a reliable partner in the Emiratisation programme, which provides competent jobs in the UAE, helping them to work alongside their counterparts with international expertise and skills, at a time when citizenship registration is taking place across the country. Economic sector jobs are growing steadily.

The minister also said that the UAE’s labor market is enjoying unprecedented growth indicators.

In September 2021, the Nafis program set a target of providing 75,000 jobs in the UAE’s private sector within five years.

Salary support for UAE graduates includes Dh5,000 per month for university graduates for up to five years.

There is also one-year salary support of up to Dh8,000 per month for skilled Emiratis in training.

There are currently over 50,000 Emiratis working in the private sector and 28,700 have joined the ‘Nafis’ scheme since its inception.