Firms told to reach Emiratisation target by Dec.31

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has called on private-sector companies subject to Emiratisation policies to expedite efforts to achieve their 2025 targets before 31 December, warning that financial contributions will be imposed as of I January 2026 on companies that fail to meet their required Emiratisation rates.

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Emiratisation targets apply to companies with 50 workers or more, requiring them to achieve a 2% growth in the number of Emirati citizens hired for their skilled jobs before the end of the year.

The same deadline applies to a select group of establishments employing 20-49 workers and operating in specific economic sectors experiencing rapid growth, which gives them the capacity to provide jobs and a suitable work environment. These establishments are required to recruit at least one UAE citizen and retain citizens already working for them before I January 2026.