The United Arab Emirates is considering raising the minimum wage for Emiratis working in the private sector to AED 6,000 from January 1, according to reports. The minimum salary initially was AED 4,000, which was subsequently increased to AED 5,000 and now AED 6,000.
The new minimum wage will come into existence from January 1, 2026, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The firms that employ Emiratis on their payroll have been given time till June 30 to amend salaries and employment contracts.
The statement added that the new minimum wage will apply to all new citizen work permits, as well as existing permits that are renewed or amended from the start of 2026. The ministry also clarified that the Dh6,000 minimum wage applies only to Emirati work permits with a two-year validity, whether newly issued, renewed or amended.
According to Khalil Ibrahim Al Khouri, Under-Secretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations, the move is part of the government’s Emiratisation policy, which also covers increasing private-sector wages for citizens. The minimum wage rise is aimed at reflecting the prevailing market wages based on job roles.
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Strict measures will be taken against non-compliant firms, including suspension of the issuance of new work permits until salaries are brought into compliance. They will also risk penalties that include losing the Emiratisation quota credit.
Al Khouri praised private-sector firms for their continued commitment to Emiratisation policies, stressing the Nafis programme and its digital platform, which connects employers with a pool of qualified Emirati candidates and provides incentives to companies meeting their Emiratisation goals.
