No new laws needed to help Emiratisation - Minister

JOBS POLICY: A top UAE Minister says new legislation is not needed to boost the government's Emiratisation policy. (Getty Images)

Further legislation is not required in an effort to get more UAE nationals into work, a government minister said on Wednesday.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said private companies were already playing their part in promoting Emiratisation.

The government policy seeks to proactively employ UAE nationals the public and private sectors to reduce the country's dependence on foreign workers.

Asked if he thought new laws were needed to encourage more companies to get involved, he said: "I think there is enough legislation. More legislation will not make it any better."

"I thank the private sector who are also implementing Emiratisation and they will continue to do it. I have spoken to many of them. It is very important that we take advantage of this situation and do not create any excuses," he added on the sidelines of the Wharton Global Forum in Dubai.

"We are committed to creating a better environment for commerce, trade and the economy and developing human resources is one way to maintain our way of life," he told Arabian Business.

His comments come just weeks after a report by the National Bank of Kuwait predicted the unemployment rate among Gulf nationals was likely to rise this year as the economic downturn limits job creation in the private and public sectors.

According to data compiled by NBK, nationals working in the public sector in the GCC accounted for almost 58 percent of all nationals employed in 2007.

Private sector employment among Gulf nationals rose at an average rate of 8 percent per year between 2003 and 2007, while average growth in public sector employment was 2.8 percent.

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READERS' COMMENTS

No more Emiratisation Laws required
Posted by Mansoor, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 12 March 2009 at 09:15 UAE time


Finally, we have someone with a wise view and hence it will or might help bridge the gap between the private3 and the public sector along with the emiratisation playing a major role init. Also this would mean the locals would have to be more efficient, hardworking and be at par when it comes to the salaries and perks offered to them in both the sectors.

welcome news
Posted by paul, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 14:49 UAE time


This must be welcome news to hard pressed businesses. The thought that new staff might be forced on them, or that they would have to hire inappropriate staff would only add to the problems many businesses face. It is important for the UAE economy that it does not push the costs of cushioning locals from the economic downturn onto private businesses; that would only drive more of them under, or persuade them to relocate out of the UAE.

Ultimately if the UAE wants to see more nationals employed, it needs to ensure that locals have the right skills and attitude, and at the right price, to be attractive as employees.

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