A member of the Federal Council of the United Arab Emirates proposed to provide expats with only those vacancies for which it is not possible to employ the emirate.
All expats applying for work permits in the private or public sectors must undergo a reconciliation procedure with a “database” that ensures that the interests of suitable candidates from among the unemployed Emirates are not infringed, the Federal National Council (FNS) said on Tuesday. .
FTS members expressed concern to the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization, Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli, about the employment opportunities of local residents. They stated that all organizations should adopt a hiring system that would provide priority for the emirates.
Hamad al-Rahumi, a member of the Federal Tax Service, said: "We are local and we do not find jobs in our country - this is not normal."
"The government is very concerned about emiratization in the private sector, and everyone should contribute to this," the minister said.
Al-Rahumi noted that enterprises throughout the country do not apply article 14 of Federal Law No. 8 of 1980, concerning work regulations.
"It is not allowed to issue visas or permission for expats to any work for which the emirate is suitable," he recalled.
He emphasized that the ministry should closely monitor all sectors.
According to the Federal Tax Service, a database should be created so that government, semi-government and private companies can make sure that there is no suitable candidate among local residents before giving a job to a foreigner.
Responding to criticism, the minister said the authorities launched various initiatives to increase employment among the emirates, including the National Recruiting Program. The minister added that in 2016, 5,608 emirates were involved in the program, and in 2017 - about 6.8 thousand people.
