Emiratisation faces major hurdles in public sector, council hears

Ministries such as labour and foreign affairs are close to being entirely run by Emiratis, but others including health are lagging largely because of a lack of professionals.

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Emiratisation still faces major challenges, the FNC heard yesterday.

Humaid Al Qattami, the chairman of directors at the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, appeared before the council to answer questions on the progress of employment among UAE nationals.

Mr Al Qattami, also the Minister of Education, said some ministries such as labour and foreign affairs were close to being entirely run by Emiratis, but others including health were lagging largely because of a lack of professionals.

"However, most ministries have more than 60 per cent Emiratisation," he said. "The ministries are trying to increase their numbers. If they fall below 50 per cent, they have to draw up a plan."

Ghareeb Al Suraidi (Fujairah) pressed the minister on the state of schools in that emirate.

Mr Al Qattami said 515 schools in the Dubai and Northern Emirates would have their air-conditioning systems repaired this year, and 61 would be rewired. New laboratories would be installed in more than 20 schools.

He said the Fujairah Education Zone was crucial, as it housed 62 government primary schools, accommodating more than 21,000 Emirati pupils.

Mr Al Qattami said these schools would also undergo maintenance.

Mr Al Suraidi stressed the urgency of this issue as some schools were in very old buildings, with poor air conditioning and no science labs.

He said toilets were "not good" and school nurses were not always on duty.