Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Special Affairs Advisor at the Presidential Court, and His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation honoured the winners of the first edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The Emirates Labour Market Award is divided into three main categories: the Establishments Category, which aims to acknowledge leading establishments that have continually managed employment relationships in an exceptional manner; the Workforce Category, which targets outstanding workers who have served the UAE’s business sector and the community; and the Business Services Partners Category, which acknowledges companies that support the development of leading labour market practices. The first edition of the award honoured 66 winners across all main and sub-categories
“Under the visionary guidance and exceptional leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the United Arab Emirates is steadily advancing towards the ambitious objectives it has set for its Centennial and earning the top ranks on the world stage,” said HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, as he congratulated the winners of the first edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award, and underlined the solid partnership between the government and private sectors in the UAE. “This partnership has been a main engine of our country’s development and a major driver of its economic strength, competitiveness, and sustained growth.”
“The UAE labour market has evolved to present an inspiring model, with solid credentials that enable it to rank among the very best global markets in terms of attracting talent from around the world and positioning the UAE as the ideal place for them to launch their businesses and fulfil their dreams and ambitions in an environment of stability, security, and equal opportunities,” HH added.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed encouraged establishments in the private sector to keep persevering and optimising the use of innovation and advanced technologies and leverage the advanced capabilities and sophisticated infrastructure that the UAE provides, alongside the modern legislations, to enable them to actively contribute to the country’s prosperity.
“Achieving the UAE’s grand ambitions will only be possible if we optimise the way we invest our resources and capabilities, commit to proactive planning in order to turn challenges into opportunities, and develop effective action plans to ensure continued success,” HH added.
A new era of leadership
His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Emirates Labour Market Award, said: “The concept of leadership in the UAE stems from a wise, well-established vision that has become an integral part of our work culture, under the inspiring leadership of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his commitment to strengthening the foundations of leadership and governance, as part of a holistic vision that looks towards leadership and excellence as a roadmap leading to great achievements.”
“Under this vision, the government’s role as a motivator is fulfilled by enacting legislations and launching initiatives to enhance ease of doing business, engage Emirati professionals in the labour market, and attract international talent, which, in turn helps establish a competitive work environment in the UAE labour market,” Al Awar added.
Al Awar thanked His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage and support for the award, noting that “celebrating the winners in the first cycle of the Emirates Labour Market Award marks a new era of excellence and leadership for the UAE labour market. The award has yielded outstanding results, which reaffirms that emphasising the importance of teamwork is key for rising up to the highest ranks.”
“The award truly embodies the vision of our wise leadership, which has committed to excellence and creativity as a foundation, and innovation as a culture in their efforts to establish an integrated labour ecosystem that enables achievement, keeps pace with developments, and guides the UAE towards regional and international distinction,” he explained.
“This award is a reflection of the astonishing developments taking place in the national economy and labour market, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the UAE’s GDP will grow by 3.5% in 2023 as well as the World Bank predication of a 4.5% growth in UAE’s non-oil economy.
“Our data indicates a 10.5% increase in the number of private sector establishments, compared to 2022, as well as a 9.1% growth in work permits.”
The Minister went on to note that “leadership and competitiveness in the UAE are based on integration and aimed at enhancing quality of life and advancing the UAE’s position on the world stage, where the country now ranks among the 10 most competitive economies in the world, and one of the best places in the world to live and work.
“Major private companies eagerly came forward to sponsor the Emirates Labour Market Award and participate in its first edition – a clear indication that social responsibility today is a voluntary approach adopted by companies and institutions that acknowledge their role in serving the UAE community.”
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar congratulated the winners and called on establishments to participate in the award’s second edition, thanking the sponsors, organisers, and judging committees.
The Establishments Category
The Establishments Category awards are granted to entities that stood out for implementing best practices in human resources across all award criteria, scoring the highest compliance with work systems and standards. Alshaya Group, Halcon Systems, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, and Liberty Dental Clinic won this category.
The category comprises six subcategories, the first of which is given to Outstanding Establishments for Employment, Empowerment, and Attracting Skilled Labour Practices. In this subcategory, Dulsco, Mirdif Private Hospital, Blue Ocean Management Training and Consultancies, and Gulf International Bank were awarded.
The second of these subcategories is Occupational Health and Safety Practices, which saw Khansaheb Civil Engineering, Al Naboodah Contracting, Bosio Construction, and Milestone Constructions being honoured.
The third subcategory rewards Outstanding Practices Related to Employment Relationships and Wages. The winners were DAMAC Properties, Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, and Latinem Securities.
Fourth among the subcategories is Workforce Wellbeing and Quality of Life; winners were Bukhatir Investments, LLH Hospital Musaffah, Bin Hamoodah Automotive, and Meerana Information Technology.
In the fifth subcategory – Most Futureproof Establishment – Americana Group (The Kuwait Food Company), Al Masaood, Trends Research and Advisory Centre, and Patriot Sealing Technologies have won.
The sixth and final subcategory, which rewards establishments with the most Outstanding Workers’ Housing, saw Workers’ Village Real Estate and Dubai Industrial City take home the prize.
The Workforce Category
The Workforce Category rewards distinguished individuals who have excelled in their contributions to their work and the UAE community. Winners are Sheikha Mughir Al Dhib Al Darmaki, an Engineer at Halcon Systems (skilled workers) as well as Pamela Krishnan, a cleaning assistant at Canadian Medical Center (other professional levels category).
Mohammed Anas Ali, storekeeper at Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle was also honoured as a distinguished skilled worker and Maria Lacerda, a cleaning assistant at the Emirates Business Group, as a winner in the other professional levels category.
The Business Service Partners Category
In the Business Service Partners Category, Housekeeping Domestics Workers Services won the Domestic Workers Recruitment Agencies subcategory, while Saa Technical & Specialised Services won the Employment Agencies subcategory, and Yas Centre won the Business Service Centres subcategory.
Commitment to excellence
With a prize pool of over AED9 million, the first edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award was sponsored by 34 major companies and entities in the UAE, recording more than 3,500 nominations submitted across all categories.
The award’s sponsors affirmed their commitment to their responsibility in supporting and strengthening efforts made by the establishments participating in the award to develop the UAE labour market, in a way that benefits all business sectors and enhances their ability to achieve better results and continuous growth in performance.
His Excellency Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, diamond sponsor of the award, said: “We are proud to be sponsoring the Emirates Labour Market Award, where we can fulfil our commitment and mission to recognise and appreciate our employees’ efforts of and role in our organisation’s success and global reputation. We can assert that we are a key partner to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in its efforts to implement the directives of our wise leadership and strive to assume the highest ranks around the world and across all fields. Moreover, we are proud of what the award has achieved, under the patronage and unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.”
For his part, His Excellency Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of etisalat by e&, another diamond sponsor of the award, said: “The Emirates Labour Market Award sends a clear message about the UAE’s commitment to innovation and excellence in its strategies, and we, at etisalat by e&, assert our dedication to embracing the latest technological solutions, capitalising on its potential, accumulated experiences, and capabilities to support the UAE Government in all of its efforts, and achieve the country’s sustainable development goals – particularly through our partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, along with all creative entities and initiatives. The remarkable level of organisation we have seen with this award sends a message of leadership and progress to the world. We congratulate the winners and all participants in the award, which stands out for its ambitious vision and goals.”
Meanwhile, His Excellency Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, platinum sponsor of the award, said: “The telecommunications sector in the UAE will always be a key partner in supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and its plans to establish a competitive labour market that empowers Emirati citizens and attracts qualified talents and brilliant minds from around the world. Today, we congratulate the winners in the Emirates Labour Market Awards, who have demonstrated that the culture of leadership and excellence is deeply embedded in them. Moreover, we reaffirm our permanent commitment to supporting government initiatives, because du will always be an active and reliable partner in any efforts to advance our country and ensure its prestige and prosperity.”
On the same note, Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Human Resource Officer at Emirates NBD, also a platinum sponsor of the award, stated: “With each of its successive stages, the Emirates Labour Market Award provides a wealth of knowledge and excellence, enriching our awareness and enabling the exchange of ideas and experiences. The award and is a true testament to the deep-seated partnership and sense of responsibility shared among all institutions and participants. This is what we felt, at Emirates NBD, as sponsors of this pioneering award. We consider this support to be a core part of our responsibility and a central requirement in our close partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. We are dedicated to supporting initiatives that champion leadership and excellence, which have long been a main pillar of our success.”
Approved by the UAE Cabinet, the Emirates Labour Market Award aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE labour market, enhancing its productivity and efficiency. The award honours outstanding practices in the workplace environment that strive to protect workers’ rights and ensure their wellbeing in all private sector establishments.