DUBAI // Unscrupulous employers have been warned against discriminating against young job applicants who have not yet enrolled for national service.
Companies who do so are breaking the law and risk prosecution, the National Service and Reserve Authority said.
The warning follows the appearance in a national Arabic-language newspaper of a job advert seeking applications only from young Emiratis who had completed their time in the Armed Forces.
Many employers do not want to hire young men before they sign up for national service because the company then has to pay their salary and benefits while they are serving in the military and not at work, said Anoud Al Jaberi, a human resources manager in Dubai.
“Employers fear that these young candidates, no matter how well qualified, will miss work for months, so they show reluctance in hiring them,” Ms Al Jaberi said. “But the law is clear. It guarantees the rights of national recruits and such job discrimination is obviously not acceptable.”
The National Service and Reserve Authority has received complaints about employers who have denied promotions, pay rises and other benefits to staff away on national service.
While an employee is in the Armed Forces, his service with his employer is deemed by law to be uninterrupted.
Pensions, bonuses and other benefits and privileges should not be affected and accrued leave may not be cancelled. Employers must take the employee’s situation into account and grant annual leave days accordingly.
“Throughout the duration of their service, employees performing their national service are expected to continue receiving their salary and bonuses, allowances and promotions on time, as well as salary increases and all other due allowances and benefits without any deductions as if they were still doing their job,” a spokesman for the authority said.
Mohamed Al Suwaidi, 27, was nominated by his employer to join the next batch of reserves on January 16.
Companies have been urged to nominate 45 per cent of eligible male Emirati employees.
“I was told that I won’t be denied any benefits while serving in the military, but I’ve heard of friends who missed out on opportunities during their time serving,” Mr Al Suwaidi said.
He hoped employers would take the authority’s warning seriously so recruits did not have to worry about their jobs and incomes while serving.
National service lasts nine months for high-school graduates and two years for those with lower qualifications. It is a requirement for every able-bodied Emirati male between 18 and 30.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
