Proposals submitted in support of UAE’s ‘knowledge economy’ vision

Highly skilled workers in the private sector could be covered by unemployment insurance if a draft law presented at the Education and Human Resources Council’s (EHRC) latest meeting comes to fruition.

The EHRC discussed proposals submitted by government bodies during the 17th meeting of the council, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation and chairman of EHRC, reported the Emirates News Agency.

The draft law on unemployment insurance would cover both Emiratis and highly-skilled expatriate workers, said the announcement on the agency’s website.

Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, minister of human resources and emiratisation – who presented the initiative – said the project supported Emiratisation efforts in the private sector by encouraging UAE nationals to work in the sector, and attracting the most qualified expatriate workers, while insuring them at the same time.

He added that it would help contribute to the UAE’s efforts to transform into a “competitive knowledge economy”, as well as guaranteeing a stable income for workers during periods of unemployment, and “strengthening the scope of social protection”.

The council also discussed proposals to set up a National Human Resources Development Fund, which would support the UAE’s Vision 2021 by focusing on the employment of Emiratis by increasing their competitiveness as potential employees and training them to hold senior leadership roles within private companies, in partnership with the private sector.

The fund would go towards programmes that support unemployed Emiratis, in order to help them gain positions in the private sector as well as supporting those that are new to the jobs market, and entrepreneurs keen to establish new commercial projects.

Since its establishment, the EHRC has submitted 83 recommendations, reviewed and adopted 22 policies and launched seven initiatives and studies.