UAE plans labor law changes to attract more Emiratis into private jobs

17 Feb 2013

(MENAFN) The UAE is looking to make amendments to the labor law to encourage Emirati citizens to work in private sector jobs and ease the burden on the public sector in case of a fall in oil prices, Reuters reported, citing local media.

Al Khaleej newspaper cited sources familiar with the matter as saying that Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash will present the government with a review of the current labour law “shortly”.

According to the paper, review would include proposals to bring private and public sector salaries into line, as well as increasing private sector holidays.

Most Emiratis opt for work in the public sector, where working hours are shorter, holidays longer and pay tends to be higher.

The paper said that the initiative’s aim is to reach a compromise that will do justice to Emirati employees and at the same time will satisfy employers, so that Emiratisation be a real addition, rather than seen as a burden or that it becomes too costly.

According to official data, unemployment rate among Emiratis stood at 14 percent. UAE citizens are conferred generous benefits, receiving free government education, health care and assistance in housing.

It is worth mentioning that Emirati citizens account for just over 11 percent of the UAE’s estimated 8.3 million population, and most of the rest are foreign workers.