Abu Dhabi: General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) has announced that all entities in the private sector are required to register their Emirati employees with the authority within 30 days from their employment date. It is an employee’s responsibility to ensure that registration has been completed within one month from their joining date.
This move is part of NAFIS programme, which was launched as a part of the ‘Projects of the 50’ which aims to accelerate the development journey of the UAE.
The registration is a part of the government’s effort to raise the competitiveness and sustainability of UAE nationals by encouraging them to opt jobs in the country’s private sector over the next five years.
Emiratis who work in the private sector are given choices and benefits through NAFIS including Emirati Salary Support Scheme, a Pension Programme, Child Allowance Scheme, Talent Programme, Apprentice Programme, Recruitment Targets, National Healthcare Programme, Unemployment Benefit, Vocational Counselling Programme, Job Offers and On-the-job Training Programme.
The private firms with at least 50 employees are required meet their 2 percent Emiratisation target before January 2023.
Furthermore, all private sector companies in UAE, except Abu Dhabi, should pay their pension contributions at the starting of every month, with a maximum grace period permitted till the middle of each month.

Insured individuals are required to pay 5 percent of the Contribution Calculation Salary after registering with GPSSA. The employer withholds this amount from the employee’s pay and transfers to the GPSSA on a monthly basis.
The Contribution Calculation Salary consists of the basic salary, gratuities and allowances (to be paid regularly and monthly) according to employment contract and is the basis of contribution payments within one complete year.