500 Emiratis blacklisted for six months

Dubai: More than 500 Emirati jobseekers have been placed on the blacklist by the Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP) in an attempt to combat lax work attitudes that include their refusing a number of job offers.

ENDP Executive Director Eisa Al Mulla told Gulf News that although it is the only emiratisation programme in the country to take such drastic measures, the intent is not to punish.

He said placing individuals on the list for six months does not mean they are outcasts. "What we're trying to do is be a little tough to show we're serious."

The Emiratis were placed on the list for being finicky about jobs offered to them on more than six occasions, or for taking the job search lightly by not attending interviews and citing reasons such as not being able to wear a uniform or inability to work shifts as an excuse for turning down jobs, Al Mulla explained.

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