There are minimum wages that must be paid to Emirati workers at law. In the event that these are not met the underpaid UAE national will not county toward the relevant quota. The minimum rates of pay set in 2005 are AED 5,000 pcm for post-secondary school certificate holders, AED 4,000 pcm for secondary certificate holders and AED 3,000 for others. A current graduate recruitment package for a bank for example is more likley to be at or around the level of AED 20,000 pcm in today's market. 

In general though private sector employers should pay the market rate and provide appropriate benefits. In order to attract and retain the best candidates salary packages need to be competitive.

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