Recruiters seek jobs for 9,000 Emiratis

Teams established in seven emirates to match national jobseekers, mainly women, with private-sector employment

ABU DHABI // Recruitment teams have been set up in each emirate to find almost 9,200 jobs for Emiratis, mainly women, in private companies.

The teams have been given the job of matching UAE nationals with suitable positions, and have found work for 566 in the past two months.

The Government’s plan will also speed up the recruitment process to 90 days, and find 1,000 jobs in banking. Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said the move would “ensure citizens are getting recruited in different private sectors across the country”.

“Under Vision 2021, Emiratis have to be trained and recruited in the private sector. The ministry has prepared strategies to help jobseekers in the country.”

Norah Al Marzouqi, the ministry’s assistant undersecretary for human resources, said 9,199 Emiratis were registered as looking for work. Eighty per cent of them are women. There are 1,829 in Dubai, 1,131 in Fujairah, 2,161 in Sharjah, 1,410 in Abu Dhabi, 852 in Ajman, 344 in Umm Al Quwain and 1,472 in Ras Al Khaimah.

Two hundred and fifty companies, including 58 banks, have jobs available for 553 Emiratis and 250 nationals are in the process of being hired by banks.

Ms Al Marzouqi said candidates for private- sector jobs should be aged from 18 to 60, and have a good-conduct certificate and an Emirati family card.

Poor English is the most common reason nationals are unable to find a job in the private sector, the ministry says. Others include failing to meet the criteria, being overqualified, misconduct and lack of experience.

The ministry’s data showed that Emiratis most often turned down job offers because the salary did not meet their expectations, despite being in line with the market. Working hours, family issues and work locations were also reasons given.

An Abu Dhabi study last year found UAE nationals shunned jobs in the private sector because they preferred the hours and working conditions in the public sector. Government jobs were also regarded as patriotic.

Last year, only 5.8 per cent of working Emiratis in Abu Dhabi worked in the private sector. Just over three quarters of working nationals had jobs with the Government and 16.6 per cent with semi-government bodies.

Emirati jobseekers can upload their CVs to the ministry’s website, atmohre.gov.ae