The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) classifies employment into nine professional levels based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO), which is issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This classification helps streamline employment standards, matching skills and education with the appropriate job levels in the UAE labor market.
Here is a breakdown of the nine professional levels:
1. Legislators, Senior Officials, and Managers
- Includes decision-makers and high-level administrators.
- Examples: Government officials, CEOs, department heads.
2. Professionals
- Occupations that require advanced academic knowledge, typically a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Examples: Doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers.
3. Technicians and Associate Professionals
- Occupations that need technical or specialized knowledge, usually involving post-secondary education or vocational training.
- Examples: Technicians, assistant engineers, medical assistants.
4. Clerical Support Workers
- These roles involve general administrative tasks, office support, and clerical duties.
- Examples: Secretaries, data entry clerks, customer service representatives.
5. Service and Sales Workers
- Jobs that involve direct interaction with clients or customers, often providing services or selling products.
- Examples: Retail staff, hotel staff, security personnel, and waiters.
6. Skilled Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Workers
- Workers engaged in highly skilled manual labor related to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
- Examples: Farmers, agricultural machinery operators, fishermen.
7. Craft and Related Trades Workers
- These roles require specialized skills related to manual work, typically involving craftsmanship and construction.
- Examples: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and welders.
8. Plant and Machine Operators, and Assemblers
- Workers in this category operate heavy machinery or work in assembly lines in industrial environments.
- Examples: Machine operators, assemblers, drivers.
9. Elementary Occupations
- Jobs that involve routine tasks that often require basic skills or physical labor.
- Examples: Cleaners, laborers, construction workers, delivery personnel.
Purpose of ISCO Classification
This classification system ensures that employees in the UAE are placed in roles that align with their educational background, skills, and experience. It helps both employers and job seekers by providing clarity on job requirements, facilitating better workforce planning and development.
MoHRE’s alignment with the ISCO standards also supports compliance with international labor practices, enhancing transparency and fairness in employment across various sectors.
Labour is classified as skilled work if it fulfils all the conditions listed below:
- The worker must be at a professional level (one amongst first to fifth level mentioned above)
- The worker has obtained a certificate higher than the secondary certificate or an equivalent certificate
- The certificate must be attested by the competent authorities
- The monthly salary (excluding commission) of the worker must not be less than AED 4,000.
And the following link contains the UAE Job Codes
https://www.mohre.gov.ae/en/job-descriptions.aspx