Latest news with #AdnanAlHammadi
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What is Emiratisation? UAE's push to move over half of insurance sector jobs in Emirati hands by 2030
In a country where expatriates make up nearly 90% of the population, the UAE's latest Emiratisation push marks a decisive turn. Emiratisation, the policy of integrating UAE nationals into the workforce, especially the private sector, has been a cornerstone of national planning since its launch in 2000. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, with fresh quotas targeting up to 60% Emirati representation in insurance sector by 2030, the government is signalling a clear intent to reshape workforce dynamics with long-term sustainability in mind. Understanding Emiratisation: A National Vision for Inclusive Employment Emiratisation, also known as Tawteen, refers to the strategic initiative by the UAE government aimed at increasing the participation of UAE nationals in the workforce, especially in the private sector. This initiative reflects a long-term national vision embedded in broader frameworks like UAE Centennial 2071, designed to enhance the nation's sustainability, competitiveness, and knowledge-based economy. Despite being a wealthy and economically diversified country, the UAE has historically relied heavily on expatriate labor. With expatriates accounting for up to 90% of the population, native Emiratis have been significantly underrepresented in the private sector workforce. To bridge this gap, Emiratisation was launched in 2000, applying across the UAE (except Free Zones), and has seen more success in public institutions than in private enterprise. To address this imbalance, the Emirati Human Resources Competitiveness Council, known as Nafis, was established to spearhead Emiratisation in private sectors. Nafis offers incentives to companies, support to Emiratis, and monitors compliance. However, challenges persist, including instances of "fake Emiratisation," where companies employ Emiratis merely to meet quotas without assigning real responsibilities, a practice the government strictly penalizes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The New Target: 50%-60% Emiratisation in Insurance by 2030 In a significant policy development, the UAE has announced new Emiratisation goals for the insurance sector, aiming for 50% to 60% localisation by the year 2030, depending on the size of the company. This forms part of the government's Emiratisation strategy for 2027–2030, which sets differentiated targets for leadership roles and critical functions within insurance firms. The announcement was made by Mohamed Al Husaini, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, during a Federal National Council (FNC) session on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. His statement came in response to a question raised by FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi regarding the Central Bank's role in enforcing Emiratisation compliance in the insurance sector. The Numbers So Far: Progress and Projections As of June 1, 2025, the UAE insurance sector employs 2,159 Emiratis out of 9,773 employees, equating to an Emiratisation rate of 22.09%. This marks a steady improvement from 13.34% in 2022 and 21.64% in 2024. 'The 2022–2026 strategy aims to increase localisation to 30 percent by 2026, growing about 3 percent annually,' said Mohamed Al Husaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, in a statement. The upcoming goals set further conditions: At least one Emirati must be hired annually in job categories with 2 to 19 employees. A 30% localisation rate is required for roles with 20 or more employees. 45% of critical roles must be held by Emiratis. 30% of direct leadership positions, such as CEOs or general managers, must be filled by UAE nationals. Enforcement, Training, and Education: Supporting the Drive To ensure these goals are met and to curb fraudulent practices, the Central Bank has set up a dedicated Supervision and Inspection Unit. This unit has the authority to impose fines of AED 60,000 on companies found to be missing Emirati hires, calculated as AED 20,000 per violation point. Beyond enforcement, a significant emphasis has been placed on human capital development: 6,138 Emiratis have already participated in advanced professional training programmes in collaboration with prestigious international institutions. Training fields include: Accounting Finance Auditing Anti-money laundering Artificial Intelligence Data Science In 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and the Emirates Institute of Finance to offer 100 annual scholarships in actuarial science. As of now, nine Emiratis have been selected to study in the United States and Australia under this initiative. The minister also announced future plans to further bolster educational opportunities in this field: Collaborations are underway with institutions such as: Higher Colleges of Technology Zayed University American University in Dubai A bachelor's degree programme in actuarial science will launch in September 2025. Insurance companies will sponsor tuition for 25 to 30 students annually.
Gulf Today
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
UAE moves to protect Emirati students abroad as 46% enrolled in commercial universities, says minister
Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmanan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, revealed that 46% of Emirati students studying abroad at their own expense are enrolled in just two universities. He noted that these universities have become commercial entities, taking advantage of students' circumstances. Additionally, he stated that 25% of Emirati students are enrolled in unclassified universities abroad, emphasizing the government's responsibility to protect its students. Speaking during a Federal National Council (FNC) session in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Dr. Adnan Al Hammadi, an FNC member, regarding the decision not to recognize the academic qualifications of certain Emirati students abroad, the Minister said it has become evident that some students are attending universities that issue degrees unsuitable for Emirati citizens. He highlighted that 2,600 Emirati students are enrolled in scholarship programs from local and federal entities and are studying at prestigious international universities. Some of these students have earned recognition and respect from their institutions due to their academic excellence and have even been awarded scholarships by the universities themselves. The Minister further explained that 3,000 Emirati students are studying abroad at their own expense. The recent decision concerning standards for Emirati students studying at higher education institutions overseas is designed to safeguard their academic future and provide them with the necessary support. He also clarified that any official statement issued to a student studying abroad includes a clause requiring an annual review to assess the student's academic progress and any changes in their situation. To implement the new decision and support students, several committees have been established with participation from various entities to regularize the status of students studying abroad. The Minister also revealed that a decision has been made to close a university within the UAE, with plans to transfer its students to other institutions starting September.
Web Release
22-04-2025
- Business
- Web Release
UAE Set to Introduce Facial Recognition ID System
News Business and Economics By Editor_wr Last updated Apr 21, 2025 The UAE is preparing to introduce a new digital identification system that will remove the need for individuals to carry physical Emirates ID cards to access essential services. Scheduled for launch within a year, the system will rely on facial recognition and biometric data to facilitate access to services across multiple industries. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is currently working to broaden the application of e-Emirates IDs within sectors including banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications. This development was disclosed during a Federal National Council (FNC) session, where council member Adnan Al Hammadi voiced concerns about the continued dependence on physical Emirates ID cards, despite the country's progress in digital transformation. Al Hammadi remarked that this ongoing requirement remains problematic for residents. Physical ID cards are still needed to obtain medical care, carry out banking transactions, and check in at hotels, where original cards are often mandatory. 'There is a pressing need for swift and efficient solutions to simplify identity verification across these vital sectors,' he stated. Responding on behalf of the ICP, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, confirmed that the e-Emirates ID has already been adopted in many services. He further noted that the authority will focus on extending its usage to the sectors identified by the FNC. UAE Set to Introduce Facial Recognition ID System Next Post Enish Dubai Redefines Ladies Night with an African Twist Comments are closed.
Hi Dubai
17-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE to Replace Physical Emirates IDs with Biometric-Based Digital System
The UAE is set to eliminate the need for physical Emirates ID cards by rolling out a new digital identification system within a year, authorities announced during a recent Federal National Council (FNC) session. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) confirmed it is expanding the use of e-Emirates IDs in key sectors such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications. The upgraded system will rely on biometric and facial recognition technologies to streamline identity verification, reducing reliance on physical documents. FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi raised concerns over the continued demand for physical Emirates IDs, highlighting issues faced by residents across essential services. 'There is an urgent need for fast, effective solutions,' he said, citing difficulties in hospitals, banks, and hotels that still require original ID cards. Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for FNC Affairs Abdul Rahman Al Owais stated that e-Emirates ID is already active across various services and will be prioritised in the sectors highlighted by the FNC. The digital identity initiative will be powered by the UAEPASS app, which allows residents to securely access a range of government and private services. Launched during GITEX 2021, UAEPASS already supports facial recognition and offers access to digital documents, including Emirates IDs. ICP emphasized that the rollout will be guided by robust data protection standards and inter-agency collaboration to ensure secure and reliable identity verification across platforms. The move marks a major step in the UAE's digital transformation agenda, aimed at simplifying and securing service access for all residents. News Source: Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
No more Emirates ID cards? UAE to launch digital ID system using facial recognition
The UAE is set to roll out an alternative digital identification system that will eliminate the need to present physical Emirates ID cards to access key services. The system, expected to launch within a year, will use facial recognition and biometric identification to streamline service access across various sectors. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) is currently working to expand the use of e-Emirates IDs in sectors such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications. This came during a Federal National Council (FNC) session, where member Adnan Al Hammadi raised concerns over the continued requirement for physical Emirates ID cards, despite the country's significant strides in digital transformation. Al Hammadi noted that this requirement continues to pose challenges for residents. Patients still need to present physical ID cards to access healthcare services, while banks demand them for financial transactions. Additionally, hotel guests are often unable to check in without showing their original Emirates ID. 'There is an urgent need for fast, effective solutions to streamline identity verification in these essential sectors,' he said. Responding on behalf of the ICP, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, confirmed that e-Emirates ID has already been successfully implemented across many services. He added that the authority will prioritize expanding its use in the sectors highlighted by the FNC.
