Private employers now bear full pension contributions for Emirati staff

The Nafis programme has announced updates effective September under which private-sector employers will assume their full share of pension fund contributions for Emirati employees enrolled in the Ishtirak programme. Employers' contributions were previously introduced on a gradual basis, starting at 0% in the first year, followed by 2%, 4%, 5%, and 6% in subsequent years. The programme has also revised its support for Emirati citizens' pension contributions, removing the previous schedule of gradually increasing support percentages and now focusing solely on assisting Emirati employees with their own contributions to pension funds. Nafis emphasises that the concept of a fair salary is intrinsically linked to long-term protection of Emirati employees in the private sector. These changes represent a shift towards reinforcing employers' responsibility for protecting their Emirati workforce. The updates redefine the relationship among stakeholders in the Emiratisation ecosystem: Nafis provides enabling tools and supportive policies, employers are responsible for offering fair salaries and appropriate working environments, and Emirati employees are expected to continuously develop their skills and build professional careers.