New policy to boost Emiratisation in private sector

The UAE Cabinet has approved a new policy, which provides additional incentives to private companies that support the employment of Emiratis.

This was announced during a cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"Today, we have adopted a new policy for classifying private sector establishments in a way that supports the objectives and plans of Emiratisation, provides additional incentives for companies supporting the employment of citizens, and consolidates the government's partnership with the private sector in this field," Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

The Cabinet also approved a AED 12 billion budget for housing loans as part of the Sheikh Zayed programme and measures will be taken to quickly process all pending applications.

Other announcements include the establishment of the Emirates Council for Balanced Development, which will be headed by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed.

The new Council will help implement projects and build public-private partnerships to develop the UAE's regions and villages.

The meeting was held at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

واعتمدنا اليوم سياسة جديدة لتصنيف منشآت القطاع الخاص بما يدعم مستهدفات وخطط التوطين ويوفر حوافز إضافية للشركات الداعمة لتوظيف المواطنين .. ويرسخ شراكة الحكومة مع القطاع الخاص في هذا المجال pic.twitter.com/rcEsYTt7dx

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 28, 2022

واعتمدنا إنشاء مجلس الإمارات للتنمية المتوازنة برئاسة الشيخ ذياب بن محمد بن زايد..هدف المجلس وضع خطط..وتنفيذ مشاريع..وبناء شراكات حكومية خاصة لتطوير مناطق الإمارات وقراها سياحياً وتنموياً بما يوفر فرصاً لمواطنيها ومستقبلاً لأبنائها ..متفائل بذياب بن محمد..متفائل بطاقة الشباب.. pic.twitter.com/ZgVm8oK4yI

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 28, 2022

ترأست اليوم اجتماعاً لمجلس الوزراء أقررنا خلاله ميزانية قروض إسكان برنامج الشيخ زايد بكلفة تبلغ 12 مليار درهم خلال السنوات القادمة.. الهدف تسريع إنجاز الطلبات .. والانتهاء من كافة قوائم الانتظار خلال الفترة القادمة pic.twitter.com/OtdAwNlhpa

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 28, 2022

• The Cabinet approved a new policy for the classification of businesses in the private sector, according to a specific mechanism that enhance the flexibility and competitiveness of the labour market and continuously supporting the growing economic system in the country.
• Employment will be classified according to the nine occupational levels based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labor Organisation.
• The Cabinet approved a decision regarding providing protection for labour rights in the UAE. It aims to ensure developing integrated system for alternatives to employment insurance, contributing in protecting labour rights, providing more feasible benefits for employment and reducing the financial burden on many establishments, in order to enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness.
• The meeting approved a resolution to form the Emirates Council for Balanced Development, which will oversee the management of projects, coordinate with relevant ministries and local authorities on regional development plans, follow up the implementation of initiatives, and approve the proposed areas of partnership with the private sector, especially national companies.
• As part of enhancing and attracting more investments in the health sector, the UAE Cabinet approved a change in the Federal Law on Medical Products, Pharmacies, the Profession of Pharmacy, and pharmaceutical facilities to support the competitiveness of the sector worldwide, and expanding the scope and areas of work of pharmaceutical companies in the UAE.
• During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet has adopted an Emirati ecosystem to promote principles of tolerance and coexistence in working environments of all institutions of both government and private sectors. It's aimed at implementing an institutional ecosystem, with first of its kind standard specifications, to set appropriate frameworks for adopting and benefiting from these concepts.
• The UAE Cabinet adopted a series of Emirati technical regulations in several production and services sectors, aimed at unifying legislations and specifications with GCC and different countries around the world.
• The Cabinet also approved a decision regarding the executive regulation of Federal Law regarding the Rules and Certificates of Origin, the executive regulation of Federal Law regarding trademarks, the executive regulation of Federal Law on Copyrights and Related Rights, and the modification of the executive regulation of Federal Law on the Regulation of the Auditing Profession.
• Regarding regulatory affairs, the Cabinet approved the annual draft budget of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) for the fiscal year 2022.
• In terms of international affairs, the Cabinet approved the decision to establish an embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic in the city of Bishkek, and to join the "Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use" and the "Global Methane Pledge".