Emiratisation
Also called Emiratization
The UAE policy requiring private-sector firms to employ a set proportion of UAE nationals in skilled roles, with contributions payable for unmet posts.
Last reviewed
In practice
Targets and contribution amounts are set by ministerial resolution and step up on a published schedule, which means any specific figure ages quickly. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is the authority to check rather than any summary, including this one.
The design risk for employers is turning a reporting obligation into a screening criterion. A hiring process that scores candidates on nationality is doing what fairness law generally prohibits, and it produces worse hires as a side effect.
The alternative is to separate the two functions: screen on ability with nationality unavailable to any scoring path, and count nationals among people actually hired, using status captured after identity is known.
Related
Right to work
A person’s legal entitlement to be employed in a particular country, which an employer is generally required to verify before employment begins.
Adverse impact
A substantially different rate of selection for a protected group resulting from a neutral-seeming employment practice, whether or not anyone intended it.
Read further
Longer pieces on this and the arguments around it.
A practical guide to Emiratization-compliant hiring
UAE mainland firms must reach 10% Emirati hires in skilled roles. How to hit the target with verified talent, blind assessment and audit-ready records.
Read