The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has outlined regulations concerning the employment of national citizens in the private sector under the "Employment Contract for Citizen-Student" system.
Empowering National Citizens in the Private Sector
According to these regulations, private sector establishments are required to pay a monthly wage, not less than 4,000 dirhams, to national citizens enrolled in approved study programs, as stipulated in the employment contract. This wage must be processed through the Wage Protection System.
The purpose of employing citizen students enrolled in NAFES-approved programs is to contribute to the empowerment targets set by the government. The Ministry emphasized that the employment contract system for citizen students, developed in collaboration with the UAE Talent Competitiveness Council ("NAFES"," provides a standardized framework for private sector companies to engage national citizens enrolled in approved study programs. These contracts align with specific professional categories and job roles.
Studying citizen Responsibilities
Under these contracts, private sector establishments (the first party) are obliged to employ citizen students (the second party) for a specified period. It's crucial for these establishments to ensure that the employment contract aligns with the citizen's field of study and that they obtain a work permit accordingly. Additionally, the monthly wage must not fall below the specified threshold, and the citizen must be registered with an approved pension fund.
Upon graduation, the employment contract must be amended to reflect a standard "citizen work contract," with adjustments made to the wage level in accordance with the establishment's regulations. However, the duration of the contract after the amendment should not be less than the study period, and the profession should remain within the same field of specialization.
The employment contract outlines mutual obligations for both parties involved. Employers are obligated to provide a monthly wage, register the citizen in a pension fund, offer training in the contracted specialty parallel to their studies, provide a safe training environment, and ensure post-graduation employment consistent with the citizen's specialization.
Similarly, citizen students have obligations, including maintaining their agreed-upon academic specialization, successfully completing their academic study program, adhering to training schedules and conditions, maintaining confidentiality regarding work-related information learned during training, and fulfilling the contracted employment period in a compatible profession.
The Ministry clarified that employers have the right to recover wages paid to citizen staff if contractual obligations are breached. In cases of termination, both parties must provide notice, and contract extensions or renewals are possible with mutual agreement.
The regulations aim to ensure the fair treatment of citizen students in the private sector, contributing to their professional development and aligning with national empowerment objectives.