The UAE has introduced a rise within the minimal wage for Emiratis employed within the non-public sector to AED6,000 monthly ($1,635), efficient from January 1, 2026, as a part of its ongoing Emiratisation technique.
The Ministry of Human Assets and Emiratisation stated the brand new minimal wage will apply to new Emirati work permits, in addition to permits which are renewed or amended from the beginning of 2026.
Institutions that employed Emiratis previous to that date might be allowed to regulate salaries to satisfy the brand new threshold by June 30, 2026.
UAE minimal wage
Khalil Ibrahim Al Khouri, Below-Secretary of Labour Market & Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, stated the upper minimal wage falls inside a phased framework designed to regularly elevate Emirati salaries within the non-public sector.
He defined that the technique started with a minimal wage of AED4,000 ($1,090), elevated to AED5,000 ($1,360), and can now attain AED6,000 ($1,635) monthly from 2026.
The phased will increase are supposed to mirror prevailing market wages primarily based on job roles, whereas giving non-public sector institutions adequate time to implement the adjustments.
Al Khouri referred to as on corporations to amend the employment contracts of Emirati workers in keeping with the brand new minimal wage earlier than the June 30, 2026 deadline, stressing that each one Emiratis working within the non-public sector should earn a minimum of AED6,000 ($1,635) monthly by that date.
He added that a number of measures might be carried out in opposition to non-compliant institutions from July 1, 2026.
These embody disqualifying residents whose salaries stay beneath the brand new minimal wage from contributing to Emiratisation targets, in addition to suspending new work permits for institutions that fail to conform till salaries are adjusted.
Al Khouri praised non-public sector employers for his or her dedication to Emiratisation targets and insurance policies since their introduction.
He famous that this dedication has been strengthened by the Nafis programme, notably its digital platform, which gives entry to a large pool of certified Emirati expertise, alongside incentives and advantages supplied to institutions assembly their Emiratisation targets.
