MOHRE and Emiratisation: What the Ministry Governs

MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, is the UAE federal ministry that regulates private-sector labour relations on the mainland. It sets and enforces Emiratisation targets, issues work permits, classifies establishments, and applies the financial contributions payable when targets are missed.

Source: MOHRE · Checked August 2026

Part of the full Emiratisation compliance guide.

At a glance

What MOHRE governs

MOHRE sits at the centre of the framework, and almost every other element connects through it.

It sets the targets, a two percentage point annual increase in Emirati representation in skilled roles for mainland establishments with 50 or more employees, assessed on 30 June and 31 December.

It applies the contribution where a target is missed.

It issues and renews work permits, which is where the AED 6,000 minimum salary attaches. The requirement bites at the point a permit is issued, renewed or amended.

It maintains the establishment classification system, which determines work permit fee levels and is affected by Emiratisation performance.

It operates the Emiratisation Partners Club, through which establishments exceeding targets receive discounts of up to 80% on ministry service fees and priority in government procurement.

And it points employers toward the Nafis platform for sourcing Emirati candidates. Nafis itself is operated by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council rather than by MOHRE.

What MOHRE does not govern

Three boundaries, and misreading them causes most of the confusion in this topic.

Free zones. MOHRE’s framework applies to mainland establishments. Free zone entities are generally outside it. Where a business holds both licences, the mainland entity is assessed on its own headcount. See Emiratisation and free zones.

Nafis. MOHRE enforces the obligation; ETCC runs the support programme. For salary support tiers, allowances or eligibility, the authority is ETCC.

Sector-specific higher targets. Some sectors face requirements set by their own regulator, such as the Central Bank for banking and insurance, sitting alongside rather than instead of the MOHRE baseline. Current sector figures are not confirmed here (unconfirmed at the time of writing).

How you interact with MOHRE

Work permits and contracts are issued, renewed and amended through MOHRE. This is where salary requirements are checked.

Assessment happens twice yearly, at 30 June and 31 December.

Contributions apply from the day after a missed assessment date, running monthly while the position stays unfilled.

Classification affects your fees, and Emiratisation performance feeds into it.

MOHRE has stated that its digital and field inspection system is capable of detecting violations, including arrangements presented as Emirati employment that are not genuine. For an honest employer the implication is simple: keep the records that already exist. See fake Emiratisation and penalties.

Reporting a concern

MOHRE encourages individuals to report violations or suspicious practices through its call centre on 600590000, its website or its smart app, with confidentiality assured.

What people get wrong

Calling it the Ministry of Labour. The name changed, and substantively. Emiratisation is in the ministry’s name because it is central to its mandate.

Assuming MOHRE runs Nafis. It does not. ETCC does.

Expecting MOHRE rules to reach free zone employees. They generally do not. The reverse trap catches more people: assuming a free zone licence covers a mainland branch. It does not.

Waiting for MOHRE to tell you your number. The obligation is calculated from your own skilled-role headcount. See how to calculate Emiratisation.

Read next: The Emiratisation fine in 2026, what MOHRE applies when a target is missed.

Last checked August 2026 · Sources: official platforms