Dubai: A top Dubai government official on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of imposing emiratisation quotas in any other sector for the time being.
Ahmad Humaid Al Tayer, chairman of Emirates Nationals Development Programme and Al Tomooh - a financial scheme designed to support small businesses whose required investment cost does not exceed Dh2 million - told Gulf News, "It is necessary to impose a certain quota in some sectors, such as banking, insurance and others, but not all sectors. The percentage is kept open to find jobs for nationals."
Currently annual emiratisation quota is restricted to banking and finance sectors, while a recent government directive asked the private sector to replace expat secretaries and human resource officials with nationals in the next 18 months.
The World Bank and IMF have identified unemployment as a major hindrance to the development in the Arab world, including the UAE.
However, in a recent report, they have also urged the government not to implement job quotas, which could become counterproductive.
Al Tayer said he was satisfied with the current emiratisation efforts, stressing that there is no need for employers to be worried that a national would leave his job for a better offer.
"It happens with nationals and residents alike, since everyone is looking for a better opportunity. This is harmless, as the job market can take all."
He said it was normal if a national moved to a better job, and called for improving incentives to encourage them to keep their jobs, saying emiratisation rates are increasing in all sectors.
"The private sector is responding in a good way, and has many job opportunities, and what has been achieved so far is promising."
