Fake Emiratisation jobs: MoHRE levies fines up to Dhs100,000

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has fined 565 companies for hiring 824 UAE nationals in fake Emiratisation jobs since mid-last year.

“Legal and administrative procedures have been taken against violating establishments, including degrading their categorisation within MoHRE’s systems, imposing fines ranging from Dhs20,000 to Dhs100,000, and potential referral to the Public Prosecution, based on the level of the violation,” MoHRE said in a statement.

The ministry said it is committed to enforcing Emiratisation policies and tracking violations that aim to undermine the country’s objectives.

Faking Emiratisation is a violation of the government’s objectives and the regulations of the Nafis programme.

The authorities expressed appreciation for most private sector establishments’ commitment to the targeted Emiratisation targets,” saying the public-private partnership “strengthens the country’s economic development objectives.”

“The efficient tracking by the ministry’s digital and field monitoring system, which was specifically designed to ensure that private sector establishments are meeting their commitments related to the Emiratisation decisions, has proven these violations,” the statement added.

Emiratisation is considered fake when it is confirmed that a UAE national works in a nominal job without real tasks to meet the establishment’s required Emiratisation targets. Similarly, it includes rehiring an Emirati in the same establishment to circumvent data and benefit from the relevant benefits of Emiratisation.

Companies that violate the rules are also downgraded to the lowest categories within the private sector classification system.

This means they now face higher service fees for work permits and transfer fees. Instead of paying only Dhs250 for certain permits, they will pay Dhs3,750.

Meanwhile, the latest figures from the ministry show that more than 81,000 UAE nationals are working in the private sector, the highest number of Emiratisation in the country’s private sector and up from 79,000 at the start of July. They are employed by 17,000 companies.

MoHRE ceases Nafis payments

MoHRE said it had ceased Nafis payments from nationals proven to have been involved in fake Emiratisation and recovered previous financial support.

“This move is in accordance with the UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2023, which modifies some provisions of the Cabinet Resolution No. 95 of 2022 on penalties and administrative fines related to Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’s (Nafis) initiatives and programmes,” the ministry said in a statement.

Earlier in August, the UAE recovered more than Dhs2.32m ($632,000) in financial support from 107 Emirati beneficiaries of the Nafis programme who accepted fake Emiratisation jobs in the private sector.

Emiratisation is aimed at enhancing the UAE’s human development system, establishing productive and sustainable Emirati human capital in the private sector, and empowering UAE citizens to make effective contributions to the job market.

Read: UAE’s MoHRE fines 441 private companies for false Emiratisation tactics