UAE Small Businesses Face $26,100 Fine for Not Hiring an Emirati This Year

UAE Small Businesses Face $26,100 Fine for Not Hiring an Emirati This Year

Small and medium-sized businesses in the UAE face fines if they fail to meet Emiratisation targets this year and next.

In a post on social media, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation explained that companies employing 20 to 49 workers in key sectors are required to appoint at least one Emirati in 2024 and another in 2025.

Failure to do so will result in a fine of AED96,000 ($26,100) for this year, climbing to AED108,000 ($29,400) the following year.

UAE explains Emirati hiring rule

The 14 sectors featured in the ruling are:

- Information and communications

- Finance and insurance

- Real estate

- Professional and technical activities

- Administrative and support services

- Education

- Healthcare and social work

- Arts and entertainment

- Mining and quarrying

- Transformative industries

- Construction

- Wholesale and retail

- Transportation and warehousing

- Accommodation and hospitality

The social media post said: “If your company employs 20 to 49 workers and your work engages in one of 14 specific economic activities, you are called to comply with the UAE Cabinet Resolution of the Emiratisation targets expansion.”

The MOHRE clarified that the fine of AED96,000 will be imposed in January 2025 is an Emirati national is not appointed in 2024.

It also confirmed that a fine of AED108,000 will be imposed in January