Private sector firms have been given until mid-2026 to increase the salaries of existing Emirati employees to at least Dh6,000 per month. Companies that fail to comply may face penalties, including the loss of Emiratisation quota credits and restrictions on issuing new work permits.
The clarification comes after the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) outlined further details on how the revised minimum wage for Emiratis in the private sector will be enforced, following its announcement earlier this week.
In an official statement, the ministry confirmed that the new minimum salary will come into effect on January 1, 2026. It will apply to all new, renewed, or amended work permits issued to Emirati employees from that date. Employers with Emiratis already on their payroll have until June 30, 2026, to revise salaries and employment contracts to meet the new requirement.
From July 1, 2026, enforcement measures will be introduced for companies that do not comply. These include excluding Emirati employees earning below Dh6,000 from Emiratisation calculations and suspending the issuance of new work permits until salary levels are corrected.
Explaining the decision, Khalil Ibrahim Al Khouri, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, said the increase forms part of a phased strategy to enhance Emirati wages in the private sector. The minimum salary was initially set at Dh4,000, later raised to Dh5,000, and will now increase to Dh6,000 from 2026.
He noted that the gradual approach is intended to reflect prevailing market wages based on job roles, while also giving private sector employers adequate time to implement the changes.
MoHRE also urged companies to proactively update employment contracts ahead of the June 2026 deadline, stressing that the Dh6,000 minimum salary will be mandatory for all Emiratis working in the private sector by that time.
The ministry attributed sustained private sector engagement in Emiratisation to government-backed initiatives, particularly the Nafis programme, which provides access to qualified Emirati talent and offers incentives linked to Emiratisation targets.
