Ministry Identifies 405 instances of fraudulent Emiratisation during the first half of 2025
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is taking a firm stance against the practice of 'fake Emiratisation' in the private sector. This issue involves companies either misclassifying staff or putting Emiratis on payroll without meaningful work, with the aim of meeting Emiratisation targets.
To support the policy of boosting Emirati participation, stricter quotas and penalties have been implemented. The current penalties for 'fake Emiratisation' violations in 2025 are governed by Cabinet Decision No. (43) of 2025. Companies found guilty of this practice face legal consequences, including substantial fines.
For instance, private sector companies with 20 to 49 workers failing to employ the required number of Emiratis must pay a financial contribution. In 2025, this stands at AED 108,000 for not employing at least two Emiratis, an increase from AED 96,000 in 2024.
More severe penalties are imposed for larger-scale violations. A precedent fine of AED 10 million was imposed by the Abu Dhabi Misdemeanour Court on a company caught appointing 113 Emiratis in fictitious roles to bypass Emiratisation targets.
So far in 2025, MoHRE has actively detected over 400 cases of 'fake Emiratisation' and emphasizes firm legal actions and penalties as per Cabinet Decision No. (43) of 2025. However, the specific companies involved in these cases remain unidentified.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious cases of 'fake Emiratisation' through the ministry hotline, smart app, or official website. The government continues its efforts to combat companies trying to dodge hiring rules in the UAE, as evidenced by the over 400 cases flagged in the first six months of 2025.
Despite these challenges, the UAE remains committed to increasing Emirati participation in the private workforce. The government has not released specific details about the benefits of Emiratisation for the private sector, nor has there been any information about how Emiratisation and AI are shaping the modern UAE workforce.
As the crackdown on 'fake Emiratisation' continues, it is clear that the UAE is battling companies trying to bypass hiring rules. Legal steps are currently underway against those involved in the detected cases. The fight against 'fake Emiratisation' is a crucial step in ensuring genuine Emirati employment in the private sector.
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