Majid Al Futtaim to hire 3,000 Emiratis in a new recruitment campaign

Retail giant Majid Al Futtaim is to hire 3,000 Emiratis in a
new recruitment drive.

Last Reviewed: April 2026 | Sources: DrJobPro Hiring Data Q1 2026.

The decision followed the UAE government’s new target of 10
per cent of company workforces comprised of UAE citizens within five years.

The vast majority of Emiratis work in the public sector and
the government wants to get 75,000 into the private sector within five years,
under an Emiratisation programme called Nafis.

“We have a
collective sense of responsibility to support and upskill the talented and
ambitious national workforce that exists in the UAE,” said chief executive
Alain Bejjani.

“There have
been commendable efforts over the years to create more opportunities for UAE
nationals within the public and private sectors.

“The Nafis
programme announced by the UAE government this week will make careers in the
private sector even more attractive to young Emiratis, whose contributions are
crucial to building a sustainable future.

“We remain
committed to increasing Emirati representation in our company over the next
five years.”

In response, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and
Ruler of Dubai, tweeted his “thanks and appreciation” to Majid Al
Futtaim. He said the company would be given “priority in government
contracts” in recognition.

The company said three per cent of the 13,700 people it employs
in the UAE are Emiratis, which it intends to boost significantly.

The government stipulates that role should be skilled and
knowledge-based. Majid Al Futtaim said it will promote its ‘train to hire’
graduate programme at Emiratis leaving university, with several more programmes
to follow.

Mr Bejjani added: “Employing local talent is a priority at
Majid Al Futtaim and we view it as a competitive advantage that is integral to
our long-term success. We are proud to support the UAE Government’s vision to
build the region’s most competitive economy.”

Majid Al Futtaim, one of the largest employers in the Middle
East with 43,000 personnel, is known for running Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates,
one of 18 shopping centres it runs in the UAE, along with 500 Vox Cinema
screens across the region.

Last week, in Abu Dhabi, ministers set a Dh24 billion
($6.53bn) plan for the project, including financial incentives to encourage
Emiratis to look at jobs with private businesses, including salary top-ups.

An Emirati university graduate can expect Dh5,000 a month from the government on top of their regular salary, plus support payments for his or her children. A separate scheme makes provisions for up to Dh3,200 per month to help towards childcare for Emiratis taking on private sector jobs.

For more jobs in the UAE,

Source: The National

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