Abu Dhabi Pension Fund Reports Tripled Citizen Registrations In Private Sector Since 2021

In a significant development for the UAE's labor market, Khalaf Abdulla Rahma Al Hammadi, the Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, has reported a substantial increase in the number of Emirati citizens employed in the private sector and registered with the fund. Since 2021, there has been a more than threefold rise in registrations, marking a 180 percent increase. Furthermore, the first quarter of 2024 saw a 220 percent surge in private sector employers registering with the fund. These figures underscore the successful implementation of various measures aimed at bolstering the country's Emiratisation efforts.

Al Hammadi detailed the introduction of facilities and measures designed to ensure the seamless registration of citizens in Abu Dhabi’s retirement system and to protect their insurance rights. He also highlighted efforts to combat fake registrations through collaboration with relevant authorities. This initiative led to 1,099 inspections over the past year, identifying 123 violations related to fraudulent registration attempts.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Hammadi shed light on how the leadership's support for Emiratisation has positively impacted Abu Dhabi’s retirement system. The incentives and facilitations provided by the UAE have significantly increased the number of citizens joining the private sector. As a result, the number of newly insured individuals from this sector has risen by 180 percent in three years, with employer registrations reaching 2,872—a 220 percent increase until the first quarter of 2024.

Al Hammadi further explained the procedures and mechanisms implemented to ensure compliance with retirement law among private sector employers. The fund has actively supported registered employers in achieving Emiratisation goals. Over the past year, 26 awareness workshops were conducted for employers hiring citizens for the first time. Additionally, 19 workshops were organized for existing insured individuals and four for newly insured individuals, achieving a participant satisfaction rate of 95 percent.

The fund’s supervisory role extends to detecting violations by employers, particularly those attempting superficial Emiratisation. Al Hammadi emphasized that facilities have been provided to reduce future violations, such as reducing fines and extending registration deadlines from 10 to 30 days. This extension allows entities more time to complete necessary registration procedures.

Al Hammadi reaffirmed the responsibility of employers to comply with the law by ensuring timely registration of citizens within one month of employment commencement and prompt payment of retirement contributions. These measures underscore a comprehensive approach to supporting Emiratisation and safeguarding the rights and benefits of Emirati citizens employed in the private sector.

With inputs from WAM