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Find out moreWelcome to this edition of Law Update, where we focus on the ever-evolving landscape of financial services regulation across the region. As the financial markets in the region continue to grow and diversify, this issue provides timely insights into the key regulatory developments shaping banking, investment, insolvency, and emerging technologies.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
The UAE government recently announced a change to its Emiratisation programme whereby incentives will be provided to employers who reach the Emiratisation quota whilst fines will be imposed on those that do not comply. The country has set a minimum Emiratisation rate of 2 percent annually for the private sector. The aim is that by 2026 the private sector workforce will be at least 10% UAE national.
This applies to employers registered with Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (“MOHRE”) so it does not apply to free zone companies and MOHRE exempt companies (who are free to join NAFIS on a voluntary basis).
Emiratisation is an initiative by the UAE government which promotes the employment of UAE nationals in the private sector. The current Emiratisation quotas are:
These are cumulative figures so in year 1 of operation a commercial entity with more than 50 employees should have 2% Emiratisation, in year 2 it should be 4% and so on. Up until now the quotas were not enforced for the commercial sector but are substantially enforced for banks and insurance companies.
From January 2023, private sector companies with more than 50 employees that do not reach the Emiratisation quota will be subject to fines. These new guidelines were authorized as part of the NAFIS programme, which is a federal government programme aimed at increasing UAE national participation in the private sector.
The percentage applies to skilled jobs so for every 50 skilled employees the employer needs to hire one UAE national in a skilled job.
MOHRE will categorise employers as follows:
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It was originally understood that NAFIS enrolment and subsequent compliance was elective. This is not the case and NAFIS enrolment and compliance is mandatory for MOHRE registered companies.
The NAFIS programme will help companies to source UAE nationals by means of a portal that they maintain.
The Emiratisation percentage is calculated based on the total number of skilled UAE nationals working in the establishment in relation to the total number of skilled workers.
An employee is classified as a skilled worker if the below conditions are fulfilled:
Private sector companies will now need to ensure that they are:
Registration with NAFIS can be done through this link here.
If you have any queries on this topic please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
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