DUBAI – Expats working in or desirous of going to UAElink> face setback as UAElink> government has introduced yetanother measure against the foreign workers.

All expats including Pakistani applying for work permits in private orpublic sectors, must now pass a ‘database procedure’ that ensures thatsuitable Emirati candidates – looking for the same job – are notoverlooked, heard the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday.

FNC members raised their concerns to Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli, theMinister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, about job opportunities forEmiratis and argued that that all entities must adopt a recruitment systemthat ensures Emiratis are prioritised for any new job openings.

‘If I know an Emirati who is jobless, I have to do something about it,’said FNC member, Hamad Al Rahoomi.

‘We are a priority, we are locals and we are not finding jobs in ourcountry – this is not normal,’ he told the Minister.

‘The government is very concerned about Emiratisation in the privatesector, and everyone should contribute towards that,’ the Minister said.

However, Al Rahoomi pointed out that businesses across the country have notimplemented Article 14 for 1980 law, regarding work regulations.

‘Why is Article 14 of the Federal Law No. (8) for the year 1980 concerningthe organisation of labour relations and its amendments on this subject notimplemented?’ He asked.

‘It is not permissible to issue a visa or a work permit (to an expat) forany job, which an Emirati is suitable for. The article since 1980 to datehas not been implemented, and applied.’