Coordinating Council for Labour Market in UAE holds first meeting, sets goal roadmaps

The Coordinating Council for Labour Market in the UAE held its first meeting, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and attended by Council members, including officials, heads of local government departments, and representatives of federal government entities.

The Council was formed in accordance with Cabinet Decision (25/3) of 2024 Regarding the Establishment of a Coordinating Council for the Labour Market in the UAE. It is tasked with reviewing legislation, policies, strategies, programmes, and initiatives related to private sector companies and employees, and domestic workers. The Council works to align federal and local systems, regulations, and procedures related to the labour market, ensuring coordination and integration at the national level. It also reviews reports, as well as local and international statistics on the UAE labour market, in an effort to enhance the country’s global competitiveness and leadership.

During the meeting, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar said: “Establishing the Coordinating Council for Labour Market in the UAE reinforces the wise leadership’s vision for integrating roles and responsibilities between federal and local government entities, streamlining efforts in a joint government system that drives achievement in the labour market, boosts the UAE’s competitiveness, and boosts the country’s position as the best place in the world to live, work, and invest.”

“The meeting is the first step towards achieving the ambitious goals and objectives for which the Council was established,” he added, noting his confidence that the upcoming period will see “positive strategic transformations in joint efforts among all entities involved in the labour market, which, in turn, serves to continuously boost labour market competitiveness and support its ability to empower Emirati citizens and attract global talents.”

The meeting was attended by HE Major General Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security; HE Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; HE Abdullah Khalfan Al Shamsi, Director-General of Legal Affairs and Legislation at the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; HE Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; HE Ahmad bin Meshar, Secretary-General of the Supreme Legislation Committee in Dubai; HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Labour Standards Development Authority in Sharjah; HE Humaid Rashid Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the Umm Al Quwain Government, and HE Dr. Abdulrahman Al Naqbi, Director-General of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development.

Also in attendance at the meeting were HE Juma Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the IT Sector at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, HE Counsellor Burkan Khalifa Al Khalifa, Executive Director of the Legislative Sector at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; HE Issa bin Hader, Executive Director of the Strategy and Economic Competitiveness Sector at the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai; HE Abdullah Mohammed Al Hantoubi, Deputy Director of the Fujairah Municipality; Faisal Rashid Al Shamsi, Director of the Standards and Labour Systems Department in Sharjah.

Representing the Ministry, HE Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and HE Ayesha Belharfia, MoHRE’s Undersecretary for Emiratisation Affairs were in attendance, accompanied by several other officials.

The meeting’s agenda also included an overview of the enablers and tasks of the Coordinating Council for Labour Market, as well as the responsibilities of its members. Attendees explored ways to enhance integration among member entities based on their roles, the nature of their work, and key labour market legislation and processes. The meeting also shed light on the most prominent joint projects and initiatives supporting the Council’s work and enhancing the UAE labour market ecosystem in the upcoming phase.