15 months deadline for “Nafis” to update the salaries of citizens working with “less than 6,000 dirhams”

The Federal Nafes Program to raise the competitiveness of Emirati cadres and increase their employment rates and contributions to the private sector confirmed that setting the minimum salary to benefit from all “Nafes” programs at 6,000 dirhams per month for all covered categories came in conjunction with the decisions to regulate the minimum wages for citizens working in the private sector and the financial and banking sector, indicating that “for citizens working in companies outside the umbrella of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank, to whom the minimum decisions do not apply For wages, such as companies operating in free zones, a gradual updating mechanism will be implemented for those whose salaries are less than 6,000 dirhams, including three stages applied over a period of 15 months.

In detail, “Nafis” explained that the first stage of the gradual modernization mechanism allows those whose salaries are less than 6,000 dirhams to benefit from 100% of the total value of “Nafis” financial programs in the first six months, starting from September 2026, and the second benefit by 70% in the following six months, while during the third stage, they benefit from 30% of the total value of “Nafis” financial programs in the following three months, and then the support stops, while the support continues if the salary is corrected to the minimum through The employer increases his salary or searches for another job opportunity.

Nafs stated that for a citizen to benefit from the salary support program, a citizen must work in one of the private sector companies in the country subject to the regulations of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or the Central Bank of the Emirates, and to be registered in one of the retirement funds in the UAE, in order to benefit from the salary support programme, in addition to that the employer’s disbursement of the salary through the systems approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, such as the Wage Protection System, is a condition for eligibility to benefit from financial support for workers in companies subject to the regulations of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

“Nafs” indicated that the minimum salary was unified in line with the Council of Ministers’ decision regarding the application of the minimum wages for citizens working in the private sector, and within the framework of the program’s efforts to enhance family and financial stability for workers in the private sector, raise the quality of employment opportunities, and achieve greater justice and consistency in the application of Emiratization policies among various establishments.

He pointed out that the approved minimum salary to benefit from the support programs within the “Nafes” program is 6,000 dirhams, and if this condition is not met for citizens working in the private sector, they can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation through the approved channels, which include the Ministry’s website www.mohre.gov.ae, or the Ministry’s MOHRE UAE application, and the call center 6005990000. Penalties and regulatory measures may result from non-compliant employers. By regulations and requirements.

Nafs confirmed that it will provide assistance to those who have difficulty applying, as cases and inquiries will be dealt with through Nafs’ approved channels:

The website www.NAFIS.gov.ae, the NAFIS-UAE application, the call center 800-NAFIS, and the email info@nafis.gov.ae.

Regarding whether the wives of citizens working in the private sector, and the children of female citizens working in the private sector, are counted within the Emiratisation rate of 2% in the private sector, Nafs explained that the Emiratisation percentage specified for the private sector is calculated according to the current Emiratisation policy, which includes citizens holding the Emirati family book. Also, the “Nafs” platform does not allow the children of female citizens working in the private sector, and wives of citizens working in the private sector, the ability to search for job opportunities, and its services are currently limited to submitting requests for salary support only, stressing However, the program provides support based on specific and clear eligibility conditions, which are effectively verified through communication with the relevant authorities, ensuring the accuracy and validity of the data, and promoting the principles of transparency and justice in the distribution of benefits. The Emirates Competitiveness Council stated that “NAFES” support continues for beneficiaries after completing five years in the program, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the new approved updates, and in accordance with the controls, categories covered, and specific entitlement mechanisms, and there is no change in the dates of disbursement of monthly “NAFES” support, as it is disbursed between the 27th and 30th of each month, indicating that the number of citizens working in the private sector has reached more than 176 thousand citizens, working for more than 32 thousand companies, while the total number of beneficiaries of the programs has reached Financial support “2021-2026” is more than 150 thousand citizens.

“Subscription” program

The UAE Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFES) confirmed that stopping the “Subscription” program for establishments does not reduce the private sector’s incentives for Emiratisation, but rather this trend reflects a more mature stage in the path of Emiratisation. The private sector has gone beyond relying on traditional institutional incentives, so that attracting Emirati cadres has become an integral part of its long-term strategies, and not just a response to temporary financial support, indicating that the focus is now moving towards enhancing the quality and sustainability of Emiratisation, while directing resources to initiatives that achieve a direct and tangible impact. In empowering citizens and developing their professional path.