UAE-based private sector employees grow 9% in Q2 2022

The number of UAE-based private sector employees increased by nine per cent in Q2 2022, compared to the same period last year.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)’s private sector workforce report, the number of private sector employees registered in MoHRE’s database by the end of Q2 totalled 5,376,842.

The UAE labour market records an increase in the number of workers in the private sector and work permits issued by #MOHRE. This increase reflects the remarkable economic growth in the #UAE & the labour market’s position as an attractive destination for competencies & talents. pic.twitter.com/xGJbko7sbP

— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) August 17, 2022

The ministry issued 537,974 new work permits during Q2 2022, marking an increase of 27 per cent over second quarter of last year. Meanwhile, in Q2 2022, there was an eight per cent decrease in the cancellation of work permits, compared to an year-earlier period, amounting to 301,569 cancelled permits.

The construction sector accounted for the largest chunk of new work permits issued by the ministry during the second quarter of 2022, followed by the business services sector, the trade and repair services sector, the manufacturing sector and the hotels and restaurants sector. Meanwhile, 26 per cent of the total private sector workforce registered with the ministry are in the construction sector, followed by 21 per cent in the trade and repair services sector, and 19 per cent in the business services sector.

The agriculture sector marked the largest growth in the number of new work permits issued at an increase of 70 per cent compared to Q2 2021, followed by social and personal services at a growth rate of 62 per cent, the business services sector at 44 per cent and the financial intermediatory services sector at 43 per cent.

Khalil Al Khoori, acting under-secretary for human resources affairs at MoHRE, said, “The increase in the private sector workforce is aligned to the remarkable growth of the UAE’s economy.”

“The increase in the total private sector workforce reflects the UAE’s job market’s attractiveness as a global destination for capabilities and expertise. We’ll keep enhancing the legislative framework of the job market with a focus on protecting the rights of employees and employers alike,” he said.