DUBAI // A young Emirati woman who worked as a human-resources specialist in the private sector resigned to take a job at a government agency where she doubled her salary, a career expert said yesterday.
But the job switch was not about money.
"When I asked her why, she said, 'To be honest, it is not because of the salary, but now I will have time to talk to my husband'," said Dr Selim Sadek, the vice president of strategies and development at UAE Academy.
Speaking yesterday on the opening day of the sixth annual GCC Nationalisation Summit at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Dubai, Dr Sadek said his example highlighted one of the challenges facing private-sector employers who were required to attract, retain and develop Emiratis.
Dr Sadek argued that a more holistic mindset was needed for the Government, employees and employers to improve the rate of national employment.
"All of us, with no exceptions, are looking from the outside, and we are trying to solve the issue thinking we need regulations, quotas, subsidisation, training. But are we really looking on the inside?" Dr Sadek asked.
"We do not need to change the regulations, the market or the working hours, but the mind of those decision-makers," he said.
One of the main issues, he said, was the skewed perception that employers had of the capabilities of the national workforce across the GCC. In part, he said, this perception was rooted in government regulations that mandated the hiring of nationals in the private sector.
Last year, for example, the Ministry of Labour decreed that at least 15 per cent of positions across all private industry should be reserved for Emiratis. Companies that fail to follow the Emiratisation policy may be fined Dh15,000 to Dh20,000 per offence.
"Quota ... would anybody attending this summit today accept to be a quota? Would you like someone to say to you that they will hire you to fill a certain percentage?" he asked the audience.
If Emiratis continued to be made to feel they were a burden and a quota, they were unlikely to take up jobs in the private sector, preferring to move to a more secure government position, he said.
This attitude was buttressed by families who did not trust the private sector and preferred the more stable public-sector jobs.
Another key issue highlighted by Dr Sadek was that some private-sector employers hired Emiratis to comply with regulations, but did not utilise their skills once they were on the job.
Mr Sadek recalled the case of a young man in a Gulf state who was only called in to work whenever an inspector from the labour ministry was expected to show up.
He also highlighted other barriers that employers erected by seemingly placing unrealistic expectations on job seekers.
By making Emiratis feel welcome and optimising their potential, private-sector owners would also be fulfilling their obligations to society, he said.
"It is very important to consider the employment process not as a quota but as a social responsibility," he said.
Sara Khoja, a senior associate at Clyde & Co legal consultants, said some clients did perceive nationalisation as more of a compliance issue than one that could help improve the labour force.
"Some of them see it as a compliance issue, these laws are there and that they have to comply with them like a tick box exercise," said Ms Khoja.
"I think what is important to note is that when we talk about nationals as a special group of people in a workplace, that can sometimes lead to segmentation."
Ms Khoja noted that the requirements for hiring GCC nationals had been beneficial in giving them new job opportunities.
She said nationalisation worked "because it got people through the door, but we are not yet at a stage where we do not need it, because it still makes people think, 'I should be doing this'".
In another presentation on training at the summit, developing employees to their potential was highlighted, including the importance of taking into account different learning styles in training programmes.
"The critical thing is that we must change our perception because it is wrong to look at learners making mistakes as a trial and error process, because that is normal. So to label it as a mistake is a failure," said John Mowatt, a consultant at Emirates Business Consulting.
"When you do not take into consideration the learning curve, people become outsiders."
Mr Mowatt noted that training departments had to do a better job of retaining staff.
"You have to be clear when are people ready to move," he said. "Nationals can be fast-tracked if you have the right programme ... you have to have solid on-the-job training."
balqabbani@thenational.aee
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
A Prayer Before Dawn
Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai
Three stars
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Persuasion
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Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
RESULTS
Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)
Mumbai won by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
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6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
