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Emiratization in the UAE: Winning Strategies for NAFIS Program Compliance

The participation of the local workforce in the UAE labor market is of great significance and cannot be overemphasized. Emiratization in the UAE has turned into the main plank in the human-capital strategy, with the pursuit of a sustainable economy and diversification as the main themes. The federal initiative known as the NAFIS Program, part of the broader UAE government employment program, is central to this agenda and serves as both a compliance requirement and a competitive opportunity.

This article explores how companies can align with the UAE Emiratisation policy, leverage the incentives of the NAFIS program, and build a strategic approach to UAE workforce nationalization through collaboration with Cominc Consulting.

What is Emiratization?

Emiratisation refers to the UAE government’s initiative to raise the number of Emiratis in the workforce, especially in key segments conventionally dominated by foreign workforces. Emiratization aims to provide Emiratis with meaningful opportunities to participate in diverse sectors and actively contribute to the nation’s economic growth and development.

Why does Emiratisation matter?

Emiratization has several significant values for both the broader societal landscape and the UAE’s economy.

1. Financial Diversification
2. Beneficial National Identity and Social Cohesion
3. Addressing Youth Dismissal
4. Promoting Competitiveness and Innovation
5. Supporting the Vision of Leadership

The NAFIS program in the UAE

At the heart of the UAE’s national workforce-nationalization agenda is the NAFIS program in the UAE, a federal initiative to boost employment of Emirati nationals in the private sector.

Key points:

> It aims to create abundant private-sector jobs for Emiratis between 2021 and 2025, supported by substantial government funding of AED 24 billion.

> It embraces salary top-up schemes, unemployment benefits, child allowances, and training support for Emirati nationals.

> It provides incentives to employers who meet or exceed Emiratization in the UAE targets, while non-compliance may lead to penalties.

Thus, for organizations, understanding how the NAFIS program in the UAE dovetails with the broader UAE Emiratization policy is critical for compliance and for accessing value-adding incentives.

Compliance strategy: aligning with the UAE Emiratization policy

Understand regulatory requirements.

The UAE Emiratisation policy requires private-sector employers to play an active role in national workforce nationalization, especially in sectors and positions where Emirati expertise and knowledge are of strategic importance to the country’s economic vision.

Register and engage with the NAFIS portal.

To benefit from the NAFIS program in the UAE, companies should register on the official portal, post vacancies for Emirati nationals, apply for eligible support schemes, and consistently monitor their progress to ensure compliance and maximise program benefits

Set realistic hiring and retention targets.

Compliance is not simply hiring but retaining and developing Emirati staff. The UAE workforce nationalization goal emphasizes long-term integration, not one-off hires.

Design meaningful roles, development paths, and culture.

To make Emiratization in the UAE successful, companies must create roles that Emiratis value, supported by training, career progression, and a workplace culture that embraces national talent.

Measure, report, and adapt.

Organizations must monitor how their Emiratization efforts are going: are Emiratis being recruited in knowledge roles, is retention high, are incentives being claimed, and are quotas being met? This supports both compliance and strategic advantage.

Strategic advantages: more than compliance

Engaging actively with the UAE government employment program via the NAFIS program in the UAE turns regulatory compliance into a business advantage:

Cost incentives: Salary support and subsidies reduce cost barriers to hiring nationals.
Brand reputation boost: Demonstrating strategic alignment with the UAE Emiratisation policy elevates your organization’s employer brand, reinforces stakeholder trust, and establishes your business as a proactive partner in advancing the UAE’s national workforce objectives.
Access to talent: The UAE workforce nationalization drive is expanding the pool of skilled Emirati professionals, giving companies leveraging NAFIS a clear competitive edge.
Future resilience: Building a sustainable national workforce strengthens organizational resilience against labour market fluctuations and future regulatory changes.

Also Read: How to negotiate salary in Dubai: Tips for job seekers

Key considerations and pitfalls

Skills mismatch: One common challenge with Emiratisation in the UAE is the mismatch between national candidates’ skills and private-sector role requirements. Organizations need active development plans.

Retention risk: Recruiting Emiratis without defining clear career paths may lead to turnover; retention is as important as recruitment.

Regulatory change: The UAE policy framework governing Emiratisation and the NAFIS program in the UAE continues to evolve, making proactive monitoring and timely compliance essential.

Cultural integration: For UAE workforce nationalization to achieve lasting success, organizations must integrate Emiratis fully into their workplace culture, ensuring inclusion beyond mere quota fulfillment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NAFIS program in the UAE?

The NAFIS program in the UAE is a federal initiative designed to support employment of Emiratis in the private sector through salary support, training incentives, and employer subsidies.

How does the UAE Emiratisation policy apply to private sector companies?

Under the UAE Emiratisation policy, private-sector companies are expected to hire and retain Emirati nationals in roles aligned with their skills and with national goals.

What happens if a company fails to comply with the UAE Emiratization policy?

Non-compliance may lead to fines, reduced eligibility for government contracts or incentives, and regulatory scrutiny.

Conclusion

Emiratization is a cornerstone of the UAE’s vision for sustainable growth and economic diversification. Navigating the compliance landscape and leveraging strategic government employment programs like NAFIS is essential for private businesses targeting long-term success.

At Cominc Consulting, we help you decode the regulatory framework, design Emiratisation-compliant strategies, manage the NAFIS program engagement, and realize the full potential of the UAE workforce nationalization.

Cominc Consulting: Empowering Your Emiratisation Journey with Expertise and Insight.

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