Filed on February 8, 2017 | Last updated on February 8, 2017 at 10.56 am

Ministry urges Emiratis to look at private sector for jobs

The ministry has put in place measures to train citizens in various fields and equip them with skills.

Thousands of UAE nationals are seeking jobs and authorities are looking for ways to see that many join the private sector.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, on Tuesday, released figures showing that 9,199 Emirati job-seekers have registered with the ministry to help them find jobs. Sharjah has the highest number of registered unemployed Emiratis with 2,161 looking for jobs, followed by Dubai with 1,829, and Ras Al Khaimah 1,472. Abu Dhabi has 1,410 Emiratis wanting jobs, Fujairah 1,131, Ajman 852 and Umm Al Quwain 344.

Saqr Ghobash announces the programmes of the Ministry for Emiratisation during a Press conference held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. (Photo by Ryan Lim)

The latest figures were issued by Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, during a meeting at Dusit Thani Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

According to the findings by the ministry, the major reasons for UAE nationals not being taken so easily by the private sector is the inability to express themselves in good English, inappropriate academic qualifications, lack of experience and over-qualification for some jobs.

Other challenges faced by Emirati job seekers included prevalent wages in the private sector with some expecting a pay that matches with their friends in the public sector, geographical factor with jobs located far from their homes, and working hours and days.

Saqr Ghobash said during the conference that the government has started an integrated national programme for training and preparing UAE nationals for employment in the private sector.

"The ministry has put in place measures to train citizens in various fields and equip them with skills, including vocational knowledge to encourage them join the private sector and also increase their competitiveness in the job market so they become first choice for employers," said Ghobash.

"There are many challenges in the job markets but our children need to get employment and that is why the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has come forward to enhance their competitiveness and promote them in the labour market."

To help more people find jobs, the ministry said they have formed teams across the Emirates to register unemployed citizens and help them find jobs.

Authorities said they were also cooperating with private firms to encourage them take on Emiratis qualified in various education fields.

And over the past two months, 566 job seekers registered with the ministry were helped to get employment in the private sector, including banks, insurance companies and money exchange firms.

Ghobash noted that the ministry was also keen on enforcing Article 14 of the UAE Labour Law which gives first priority to qualified citizens to fill vacant positions in the private sector so as to enhance their employment opportunities while ensuring the interests of employers.

The minister urged those looking for jobs to be more serious and make use of the Emiratisation services provided by the ministry.

"Job seekers should register online with the ministry and should always update their data in addition to attending training and guidance courses as well as job interviews," said Ghobash.

The minister also said resolutions issued are being enforced as part of the ministry's strategy to support Emiratisation in the private sector by providing more job opportunities for national human resources in line with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda.

"The resolutions promote the principle of public-private partnership and empower the private sector companies to fulfil their social and national responsibilities towards the Emiratisation policy,'' said Ghobash.

Measures taken by ministry

The ministry has put in place measures to train citizens in various skills including vocational knowledge

Teams have been formed across the emirates to register unemployed citizens and help them find jobs

Authorities are cooperating with private firms to encourage them take on qualified Emiratis

Article 14 of UAE Labour Law gives first priority to qualified citizens to fill vacant positions in the private sector

Job seekers have been told to register online with the ministry and should always update their data

The minister also issued resolutions to support Emiratisation in the private sector

ismail@khaleejtimes.com