Dubai - (AFP) - An advertisement inviting Emiratis to apply for the job of "sandwich maker" sparked outrage and some considered it an insulting attempt to provide job opportunities, prompting the authorities to open an investigation.

And the Federal Prosecution Office for Combating Rumors and Cybercrime in the UAE announced on Saturday that it had initiated "an investigation with officials of a private sector company for publishing an advertisement for non-skilled jobs for UAE nationals in violation of the regulations for nationalizing jobs," considering that the advertisement contained "exciting propaganda that would incite public opinion."

The Public Prosecution did not specify the name of the company or its manager, but its statement came after an advertisement appeared for the Kamal Jamjoom Group for the position of “sandwich maker” in a Subway branch. The announcement stated that the step comes "in support of the state's efforts to nationalize jobs."

The advertisement, which was later removed, comes weeks before the expiry of a deadline given to private companies in the UAE that employ more than 50 people to ensure that at least 2% of their employees are UAE nationals, under penalty of fines.

"This is a mockery," one Twitter user wrote about announcing the vacancy at Subway.
And another wrote in a tweet that was re-published by hundreds of accounts, "Lack of administrative, financial and technical jobs, bringing the matter to + prepare sandwiches +!!???!!!! Oh, time."

Emirati academics also got involved in the discussion.

"This post-oil period seems difficult," said Emirati researcher Mira Al-Hussein.

Others considered that there is no shame in such jobs, as one Emirati pointed out on Twitter that billionaire Jeff Bezos began his career as an employee of McDonald's.

The Kamal Jamjoom Group apologized for the announcement, explaining that a "translation error" led to the wrong wording.
According to the International Labor Organization, more than 90% of the workforce in the private sector in the UAE is composed of foreigners.

The international organization notes that Emirati nationals mainly work in stable and relatively well-paid jobs in the country's vast public sector.

As part of a drive to boost Emirati employment, the UAE government this year launched a mandatory "Tawteen" campaign that requires most large private sector companies to hire Emiratis for skilled jobs.

And as of January 1, 2023, non-compliant companies face fines of up to 6,000 dirhams ($1,633) for each job not held by an Emirati citizen within the percentages set by the government.