Understanding the ‘Demographic Diversity’ rule in the UAE and its impact on Indian workers

The rule is intended to promote workplace diversity by allocating only 20 percent of visa quotas to individuals from diverse nationalities

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

 The recent implementation of the ‘demographic diversity’ rule in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sparked concerns among some companies and jobseekers from India. However, a closer examination reveals that this rule is intended to promote workplace diversity by allocating only 20 percent of visa quotas to individuals from diverse nationalities.

Recent reports circulating in Abu Dhabi suggested a temporary halt in issuing work visas for Indians due to difficulties faced by UAE companies in obtaining visas for prospective employees from certain South Asian countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. When attempting to apply for an Indian visa, companies received a message emphasizing the need to achieve demographic diversity in their hiring practices.

As companies navigate these guidelines, they are encouraged to embrace hiring practices that reflect a diverse workforce, contributing to the overall vibrancy of the UAE’s labor market

Authorities, responding to these concerns, clarified that the issue is centered around promoting employment diversity rather than singling out specific countries. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRE) has mandated companies to allocate 20 percent of their visa quotas to individuals from diverse nationalities, aiming to foster workplace diversity. Once companies achieve this 20 percent diversity rate, they are free to hire employees from any nationality.

It is important to note that the ‘demographic diversity’ rule does not apply to freezone companies, domestic workers, investors, and partner visa categories. These exceptions ensure that specific groups are not unduly affected by the diversity requirement.

With over 3.89 million Indian expats, constituting nearly 38 percent of the UAE’s total population, the country remains a significant hub for Indian workers. The emphasis on diversity aims to create a more inclusive work environment and is not targeted at any particular nationality. As companies navigate these guidelines, they are encouraged to embrace hiring practices that reflect a diverse workforce, contributing to the overall vibrancy of the UAE’s labor market.

************************************************************************

Readers

These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.

Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world.  We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.

Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.

In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.

For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com