United Arab Emirates: Revised Occupational Classification Scheme Implemented in the Mainland

Details of the revised occupational scheme include:

• Revised list of job descriptions. MOHRE has revised the list of occupations in the occupational classification scheme, which now consists of 1,250 job titles, whereas previously there were 726 job titles. The expanded list of job titles is expected to be published soon. These occupations are further categorized into nine professional levels.
• Using the job description list. The job titles list serves as a point of reference for employers to match professions to suitable work permits in mainland United Arab Emirates. This list assists employers in categorizing applicants as skilled or unskilled (as professional levels 1 through 5 are considered skilled by MOHRE, unless the worker’s monthly salary is less than AED 4,000). Those with monthly salaries less than AED 4,000 are considered “unskilled”, regardless of whether they have an educational certificate. Professional levels 6 through 9 are considered “unskilled,” regardless of the worker’s salary. 
• Educational certificates or labor awareness training. Each job title belongs to one of nine levels of professional skills, which determines whether an education certificate or a labor awareness training at one of the designated MOHRE Tawjeeh Service Centres is required. If a certificate is required, the work permit applicant must provide an educational certificate higher than a secondary certificate (or equivalent, depending on educational system), and it must be legalized for use in the United Arab Emirates. Scheme details are listed below:

• Initial work permit applicants. Foreign nationals can now only apply for a work permit for job titles listed on the revised occupational classification scheme.
• Work permit renewals. Workers holding a work permit with a specific job title will be able to renew their work permit with the same job title. However, the employee may have to provide an educational certificate (even if they did not have to previously), if the job title is now requiring this certificate as per the new list.
• Effects of list changes. The revised list includes 524 additional job titles. While there is an increase in job titles, there are fewer professions that are exempt from submitting educational certificates to support work permit applications. This will affect employees who do not hold an educational certificate. Moreover, there are more job titles which require applicants to attend labor awareness training. This will affect the overall immigration process since the employee must attend the training in person and this may require advance scheduling.
• Employers’ responsibilities. Employers must adhere to this revised occupational scheme as well as the existing classification system during the recruitment process to ensure compliance with recent changes in labor regulations.

• Origination of revised scheme. The revised classification scheme resulted from the United Arab Emirates’ agreement to follow International Labour Organization (ILO) standards and standards set forth through GCC membership (e.g. unified occupations lists), as well as its national goals related to limiting the country’s reliance on unskilled labour.
• Labour awareness training objective. The UAE government introduced and has expanded rules regarding the labour awareness training following ILO recommendations. Through the training, the government seeks to educate lower-skilled workers (especially those who are recruited through agencies) about their workplace rights.
• Benefits for employers. This revised scheme will also enable employers to hire skilled Emirati and foreign nationals according to their educational background and will assist employers in matching Emirati and foreign nationals’ educational background to their correct professional level.

As the competitiveness of the labor market continues to increase in United Arab Emirates, stakeholders such as employers, Emirati nationals and foreign employees should be prepared for continued updates to workplace related schemes aimed at creating transparent recruitment systems.