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Launched on 12 September 2021, the second set of ‘Projects of the 50’ contains 13 initiatives to be implemented under a comprehensive federal programme called ‘NAFIS’, (literally means ‘compete’ in Arabic). It includes reforms and financial incentives to drive work opportunities for both young and experienced Emiratis in the private sector. Government formed the ‘Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’ to develop a strategy to increase the competitiveness of Emirati human resources and empower them to occupy jobs in the private sector and contribute to building the UAE’s economy. 

Under NAFIS, the UAE will spend up to AED 24 billion, (USD 6.53 billion) to employ 75,000 Emiratis in the private sector over 2021-2025. It aims for Emiratis to hold 10 per cent of the UAE’s private sector jobs by 2025. The UAE’s citizens will be offered a series of incentives to choose private sector jobs, careers of national priorities and to launch their own businesses in the labour market. The Government will provide salary support, unemployment benefits, child allowance, pensions and several other benefits to enhance career competencies, vocational skills and talents for its nationals.

Following are the 13 initiatives under NAFIS:

Formation of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council

The ‘Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’ aims to launch plans and strategies to create 75,000 jobs for Emiratis with incentives to join the private sector. For this purpose, the UAE allocated AED 24 billion to support the plan. H. H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the Chairman and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, is the Vice Chairman of the council, which brings together representatives across the federal government.

Recruitment targets

The Government set 10 per cent Emiratisation target in the private sector companies, over 2021-2025. The jobs given to UAE nationals must be in knowledge and skilled roles.

The Emirati Salary Support Scheme

The Emirati Salary Support Scheme is a grant which aims to incentivise the recruitment of Emirati graduates in the private sector and contribute to their training costs. A monthly top-up of up to AED 8,000 will be given to graduates during the first year of training and a monthly top-up of up to AED 5,000 for five years after recruitment. Top-ups are conditional and based on a range of defined target salaries.

Merit programme 

The Merit Programme aims to incentivise national cadres in specialised fields. Emiratis working as nurses, accountants and financial auditors, lawyers, financial analysts and coders will receive a monthly salary top-up of AED 5,000.

Pension scheme

Emiratis in the private sector who are earning less than AED 20,000 per month, will be given a five-year subsidy against their contributions in the pension plan. The Government will also contribute on behalf of the company against the cost of pension plans for Emirati staff in the first five years.

Child Allowance scheme

Government will pay a child allowance to children of Emiratis working in the private sector towards their care. Each child will have up to AED 800, maximum of AED 3,200 per month. The scheme applies to children till they reach the age of 21.

Talent Programme

The Talent Programme will invest AED 1.25 billion in developing specialised vocational skills for Emiratis in the areas of property management, accounting, business management and technology skills.

The Apprentice Programme

The Apprentice Programme is a train-to-hire initiative to build vocational training for Emiratis in private and semi-government companies, with a range of financial awards across a number of business sectors.

Healthcare Development Programme

It is an educational grant to develop 10,000 Emirati healthcare workers by 2025. The programme will roll out a ‘Graduate Healthcare Assistant Programme’, a ‘Higher Diploma in Emergency Medicine’ and a ‘Bachelor's degree in Nursing’. The programme is supported by ACTVET and Fatima College of Health Sciences.

Unemployment benefit

Government will pay an unemployment benefit to Emiratis who lose their jobs in the private sector because of circumstances beyond their control. The benefit is for a six-month period.

A subsidised career break

From 2022, a subsidised career break of 6 to 12 months will be available to Emiratis in Federal Government positions to start their own business. During the break, employees will receive 50 per cent of their salary.

The Early Retirement Scheme

It is an opportunity for Emiratis in Federal Government positions to take early retirement to explore business opportunities and start business in the private sector. These employees can retain their entitlement to a full end of service benefits or they can choose to receive five years' salary payments or a lump sum golden handshake payment.

A Graduate Fund

A fund of AED 1 billion will provide micro-loans to university students and fresh graduates to support their business projects, in collaboration with the UAE’s universities. The fund aims to nurture national entrepreneurs in the private sector.

Expanding the benefits of the ‘Emirati Salary Support Scheme

In November 2022, the UAE increased the benefits of the ‘Emirati Salary Support Scheme’ under the ‘Nafis’ programme. Emiratis working in the private and banking sectors will enjoy allowances, bonuses and other monetary incentives. This applies to all Emiratis regardless of the date they became employed and whether they were appointed before the launch of the ‘Nafis’ programme.

Further, benefits of all working citizens, regardless of their jobs, specialties or educational backgrounds were extended, if their monthly salaries did not exceed AED 30,000. The maximum monthly allowance would be as follows:

• AED 7,000 for holders of a bachelor’s degree
• AED 6,000 for diploma holders
• AED 5,000 for holders of high school diploma.

Emiratis in the private sector whose total monthly salary is less than AED 50,000 will be paid an allowance of AED 600 for each child they have, for maximum four children and for five years.

The value of the emergency financial support is raised for those who have lost their jobs in the private sector. The decision also broadens the scope of nursing cadres to integrate the pharmaceutical, medical and health sectors at all levels and specialisations.