VP chairs Cabinet meeting, praises UAE labour market
The Cabinet approved establishing the ‘Coordinating Council for Labour Market’ in the UAE, chaired by the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE and Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Meeting’s highlights:
• Reviewing the UAE industrial sector achievements and results of the year 2023.
• Reviewing the UAE economic sector achievements and results of the year 2023.
• Reviewing the efforts to maintain labour market stability in the UAE.
• Reviewing the work and accomplishments of the UAE’S Digital Wellbeing Council.
• Approving the National Policy for Biofuels. ŝ Reviewing the updates of the fire safety system “Hassantuk for Homes”.
• Approving the Health Insurance Scheme for Private Sector employees and domestic workers.
• Establishing the Coordinating Council for Labour Market in the UAE, chaired by the Minister of Human Resources & Emiratisation.
• Appointing Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency.
• Adopting new technical regulations in Food, Agriculture, and Oil & Gas sectors.
• Approving 6 international agreements.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, I chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. We reviewed the major advancements in the country’s labour market. The UAE has ranked first globally in the lack of labour disputes indicator, according to the Global Competitiveness Report, first globally in the ability to attracting talent, as indicated by the Prosperity Index, and third globally in the digital skills..”
Sheikh Mohammed noted that over 7 million employees across all sectors in the UAE are benefiting from the Involuntary Loss of Employment scheme (ILOE), while 98.8% of the workforce in the country are covered by the Workers’ Protection Programme.
Sheikh Mohammed added: “Today, we approved a new structure for the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation, including establishing a coordinating council for the labour market in the UAE, to maintain its stability and enhance its competitiveness. The workforce is the real engine of the economy, and monitoring their concerns and protecting their rights are essential elements for advancing our national economy.
Sheikh Mohammed further noted: “Also today, we reviewed the results of implementing the ‘Operation 300 Billion’ project launched in 2021, that aims to increase the industrial sector contribution to our GDP to Dhs300 billion, by the year 2031.
Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the accomplishments of the industrial sector, noting that its current contribution stands at Dhs197 billion to the GDP, up from Dhs 132 billion. Since the launch of the ICV Programme, national spending has increased to Dhs67 billion in 2023.
Sheikh Mohammed added: “The advancement of the industrial sector is a national priority. We are overseeing its progress by providing a variety of incentives to stimulate its growth.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “The UAE Cabinet approved a national policy on biofuels encouraging the production and consumption of locally produced biofuels, and the amendments on the executive regulations of the federal law on citizenship and passports. We approved extending the validity period of the UAE passport from 5 to 10 years for Emiratis aged 21 and above. The new amendments include further facilitations and comprehensive digital services to be provided by the relevant authorities.”
Sheikh Mohammed said: “At today’s Cabinet meeting, we reviewed the accomplishments of the Digital Wellbeing Council for the year 2022. This council, in collaboration with various social media platforms, has successfully eliminated over 160,000 websites and accounts that targeted our youth, through promoting substance use and unfavorable habits that are foreign to our culture.”
ABU DHABI
UAE increases validity of Emirati passport to 10 years; adopts policy for Biofuels; 7 million employees across all sectors benefit from the job loss scheme.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE UAE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN 2023: The UAE Cabinet reviewed in its meeting the accomplishments of the industrial sector in the country during 2023. The sector has witnessed significant advancements in competitive indicators, including the country’s ranking first regionally and 37th globally in the Frontier Technology Readiness Index. Additionally, the country ranked first in the Arab region and 29th globally in the Competitive Industrial Performance Index, as well as first regionally and 11th globally in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index report.
NATIONAL EFFORTS TO SUPPORT LABOUR MARKET: The Cabinet was briefed on the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation, alongside various federal, local, and private entities, aimed at supporting labour market stability and addressing disputes across the UAE.
The initiatives and mechanisms implemented by the UAE government in 2023 led to a notable 75 percent reduction in labour disputes compared to 2022, while over 98 percent of labour disputes were amicably settled, up to March 2024.
HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM FOR PRIVATE SECTOR’S EMPLOYEES: During the meeting, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a health insurance system for registered employees in private sector, and the domestic workers who do not have existing health insurance coverage. According to the new system, employers in private sector companies along with employers of domestic workers in the UAE are required to pay for the health insurance coverage for their registered workers upon issuance or renewal of their residency permits.
UAE ECONOMIC SECTOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023: The UAE economy has achieved distinguished accomplishments during 2023. The non-oil GDP in constant prices for the UAE, recorded a significant growth rate of 5.9 percent for the first nine months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
UAE NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOFUELS: The UAE Cabinet approved the National Policy on Biofuels aiming to develop regulations and controls to oversee the distribution of biofuels, establish standards governing the production and utilisation of biofuels and implement criteria and mandates for biofuel production within the country.
NATIONAL DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY POLICY: The Cabinet approved the National Digital Accessibility Policy, aiming to support digital transformation and service efficiency in the country, ensuring digital inclusivity for all segments of society, including people of determination and the elderly.
DIGITAL WELLBEING: The UAE Cabinet reviewed the activities and the accomplishments of the Digital Wellbeing Council, which is chaired by Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. In coordination with relevant authorities, the Council blocked more than 2,700 websites that breached the nation’s policies and regulations. These websites were engaged in a range of illicit activities such as online scams, phishing, unauthorised product promotion, and other societal violations.
ESTABLISHING THE COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR LABOUR MARKET: The Cabinet approved establishing the ‘Coordinating Council for Labour Market’ in the UAE, chaired by the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The Council will be responsible for reviewing legislations, strategies, and initiatives related to private sector companies, as well as their registered workforce. It will work on aligning federal and local regulations, laws, and procedures related to the labour market to achieve coordination and integration nationwide.
APPROVING 6 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS: The UAE Cabinet approved 2 international agreements of comprehensive economic partnership with the governments Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Georgia, respectively. It also approved an agreement with the Czech Republic, to eliminate double taxation with regard to taxes on income and to prevent tax evasion and avoidance, and three agreements with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, regarding the extradition of criminals and the transfer of convicted persons.