About 200,000 people to enter labour market in the next decade, says Labour Minister
Private sector must create about 20,000 jobs a year in order to cater to the estimated labour force that will enter the market in the next decade, according to the UAE Labour Minister.
About 100,000 to 200,000 people between 15-60 years of age will enter the labour market in the next 10 years, said Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Development and Employment Authority of National Human Resources (Tanmia). This means there is "a need to create between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs a year for them in the private sector".
Ghobash was speaking at the Fourth Forum of the Club of Human Resources of the Federal Human Resources-governmental organisations, which discussed the topic 'The challenges facing Emiratisation in the UAE and the role of Khalifa Fund to enable Emiratisation'.
Ghobash added said: "The figures includes those who want to work and those who are not concerned about working." According to the last survey, there are 35,000 unemployed Emiratis in the UAE, which represents about 14 per cent. This percentage will increase to more than 25 per cent among young citizens, he added.
Of the number of people enrolled with Tanmia about 8,000 Emiratis are looking for jobs - the numbers do not include those in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, Emiratis working in private sector do not exceed seven per cent, according to data from the Ministry of Economy.
Ghobash said: "Considering all the latest statistics, about 100,000 jobs are needed to be created for citizens to enter the labour market within the next 10 years."
He added: "Approximately 83 per cent of those who are registered with Tanmia are females. Of which, 46 per cent have university degrees; 44 per cent have general secondary certificates and only 10 per cent do not possess high school certificates.
Most of the applicants reside in Eastern Region - Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan - which means they would find it difficult to work in other emirates. Therefore, development should be comprehensive. Job creation should be across the UAE in order to help Emiratis find work at their places of residence.
Ghobash said the ministry's plan is in accordance with the UAE's vision for the year 2021, targeting access to knowledge-based economy led by the competitive competencies of citizens.
He added that the Ministry of Labour aims to create a stable job market and productive labour force in the long term.
Ghobash said teh UAE leadership is very keen on providing the necessary support for Emiratisation to ensure economic development, and securing a decent livelihood for citizens.
© Emirates 24|7 2011
