Emiratis, private sector seek common ground

ABU DHABI // Sixty per cent of all Emiratis who have worked in the private sector have resigned "due to a lack of career progression", according to a statement released by Abu Dhabi University yesterday. The statistics were part of a study conducted last year by the government-sponsored Emirates National Development Programme. Possible solutions are scheduled to be discussed at the second Emiratisation Forum, in May.

"By developing employees to reach their goals, businesses can retain talented individuals that will prove to be long-term assets to the firm," said Ali al Dhaheri, the university chairman. At last year's forum, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Higher Education, told colleges and universities to encourage Emirati students to seek work in the private sector. Official figures released earlier this year revealed that unemployment among Emiratis in Abu Dhabi has hit 14 per cent.

Government officials have complained in the past that most Emiratis hired in the private sector were quota-fillers, accusing private firms of failing to meet their Emiratisation commitments. While 80 per cent of Emirati employees are in government jobs, just 11 per cent of all the country's jobs are in the public sector, and it cannot match private-sector growth in terms of economic impact. mhabboush@thenational.ae