Initiatives under Nafis are also likely to encourage Emiratis to work in sectors that may not have attracted them before.
Ten percent is the five-year Emiratization target set by private sector companies, as the UAE today announced a series of plans to increase the Emiratis’ share of the private sector. .
The business leaders, who were present during the announcement of the second round of the 50’s projects in Qasr Al Watan, said the projects address the issues the Emiratis face when they join the private sector.
Alain Bejjani, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim, said: âThe initiatives tackle a number of challenges that were present in recruiting Emiratis. The challenges were related to the attractiveness of the private sector to UAE nationals as well as the capacity of the private sector to support and train them and give them a good path forward.
Saeed Al Awar, Head of Middle East, Rothschild and Co, said: âYou have to look at it as a whole. As an incentive, these initiatives did not exist before, and the Emiratis questioned a lot about the stability of their jobs in the private sector and wages not being on par with the public sector. These initiatives bring a balance, so people have no more excuses.
Bejjani said he expects more Emiratis to work as accountants, programmers, coders and other retail positions at Majid Al Futtaim (MAF).
âMAF has always been extremely committed to recruiting UAE nationals. We believe localization gives us a competitive advantage, âhe said.
âThe government aims to recruit 10% of Emiratis in the private sector; we are implementing many initiatives to support this company â, he added.
He said the company had planned several training programs for Emiratis, but had to put them on hold due to the pandemic. âNow we’re going to launch them. “
Al Awar said, âThis (Nafis) is an incredible initiative that invests in the most important thing of our country – our national workforce. When we started 50 years ago the most important thing we had was oil and this resource has brought us to where we are today. The important thing now is to invest in our country’s most important asset namely UAE nationals – men and women and this is what will bring our country to the next phase of growth. “
Commenting on the entrepreneurial benefits of the incentives, Al Awar said focusing on securing jobs for Emiratis cannot be a single priority. âAt the end of the day, we also need the Emiratis to create jobs, which makes this part of the initiative extremely vital,â he added.
Al Awar also said the initiative would encourage Emiratis to work in sectors they traditionally do not find attractive.
âCovid-19 has presented obvious demand in terms of professions such as nursing etc. However, careers in the legal profession definitely lack an Emirati presence, for lack of a better word,â he said. declared.