Dubai Sets First-Ever Minimum Wage for Emirati Private-Sector Workers

Dubai and the wider UAE have introduced a landmark minimum wage of AED 6,000 per month for Emirati employees in the private sector, marking a major shift in labour policy for the country. Confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on January 18, 2026, the rule applies to all new, renewed, and amended work permits for Emiratis, with companies given until June 30 to adjust contracts and payroll structures ahead of compliance deadlines. This policy goes beyond a simple cost-of-living adjustment: it represents a strategic effort to make private-sector employment more attractive to UAE nationals while supporting broader Emiratisation goals. Employers are now recalibrating salary bands and workforce planning to accommodate this change, which analysts say could influence future wage policy for expatriates as well.