UAE considers proposal to impose restrictions on hiring from certain countries

An official at the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed that the country is considering imposing labour restrictions on hiring from countries that are denying re-entry of their nationals currently employed in the private sector within the UAE, reported official news agency WAM on Sunday.

The options under consideration include imposing “strict future restrictions on the recruitment of workers from these countries, including the application of the ‘quota’ system in recruitment operations.”

The options being discussed even include suspending prevailing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between the ministry and authorities in these countries.

Read: UAE launches ‘early leave’ for private sector expats to return home during Covid-19 crisis

On April 6, the UAE announced an early leave initiative for private sector expats to allow them to temporarily return to their home country during the time that the Covid-19 precautionary measures are in effect in the UAE.

Employees will be asked to submit their annual leave dates or agree with their employers on unpaid leave, and employers must book a round ticket for employees availing of this facility.

The official said that the new labour restriction measures were being discussed as a result of a few countries failing to accept their citizens wishing to return to their homes either because they availed of the early leave scheme in the UAE or because their services were terminated as a result of the current Covid-19 crisis.

The official added that the countries to which these nationals belong must assume their responsibilities and accept their citizens wishing to return home.