ABU DHABI // More than 20,000 jobs will be created for UAE nationals from 2013, in what the Minister of Labour has called the “year of Emiratisation”.
Saqr Ghobash, also the chairman of the board of trustees for the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority, said the jobs had been secured in the public and private sectors over the next five years.
New posts in ministries, airlines, oil companies and more than 20 other entities were announced at the end of last month by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
They are part of a programme called Absher that was established by the President, Sheikh Khalifa.
"Emiratisation enters a new phase based on partnership in the community and nation," Mr Ghobash said. "It is aimed to increase the participation of the Emirati in the job market in quality and attractive jobs."
He said the private sector needed to work harder to attract nationals, and companies that formed partnerships with or employed more Emiratis would be rewarded.
A registry office has already been established at the ministry for companies wanting to employ Emiratis.
Mr Ghobash also urged human resources departments to prepare nationals before they started a new job to ensure there was no confusion over their duties, and help to train them for the role.
Ezzat Abu Hassan, group business development manager at Sawaeed Employment, said expatriates should not fear redundancy because these were jobs being created continuously as Abu Dhabi and federal companies expanded.
“First of all, these are locals, they deserve it,” Mr Abu Hassan said. “Second of all, there are new government entities, Abu Dhabi is expanding. Why don’t we see this as a sign that things are expanding and becoming more active?”
Many FNC members have said their focus for the coming year would also be on Emiratisation.
At today’s session, Ali Al Nuaimi, an FNC member from Ajman, will ask Mr Ghobash about the steps being taken to ensure Emiratis join the job market.