Fifteen construction workers chosen to receive Dh25,000 each for their children’s education

People were selected by Etisalat to mark International Workers' Day

Fifteen construction workers were surprised by Etisalat with a Dh25,000 scholarship towards their children's higher education. Courtesy, Etisalat

The construction workers could not hide their delight at the surprise scholarships. Courtesy, Etisalat

A construction worker calls his family back home to share the good news about the Dh25,000 scholarship from Etisalat. Courtesy, Etisalat

There are more than 2 million migrant workers in the Emirates who work in the construction sector - the majority from South-Asian and African countries. Victor Besa / The National

International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day, honours labourers for their often unsung contribution. Pawan Singh / The National

Building work continues in the UAE throughout the Holy Month. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi's Etisalat reported revenue of Dh13.2bn for the first quarter of 2021. Courtesy Etisalat

More than a dozen construction workers in the UAE were given Dh25,000 each in scholarship for their children's higher education by Etisalat.

The gesture by the telecom firm to mark International Workers' Day, which fell on Saturday, came as a pleasant surprise to the beneficiaries.

There are more than two million migrant workers in the Emirates, majority from South-Asian and African countries, who work in the construction sector.

Fifteen workers from different camps were selected by Etisalat to piece together a massive tile structure with a hidden message.

As the puzzle pieces came together, the workers were surprised with the scholarship.

A message on a screen said: "You’ve built today, so let us build your child’s tomorrow. So, as you can see in the tile structure you’ve just created, we want to help you play an important part in your future. In particular, your children’s future. Etisalat is giving a Dh25,000 scholarship towards your children’s higher education."

Abdul Latif Awan, 65, from Pakistan, was one of the beneficiaries. He called his family back home in Rawalpindi to share the good news.

“I had never imagined that my prayers this Ramadan will be answered and that I will get such a big reward from Etisalat so that my children’s life will be taken care of,” he said.

“I have given 38 years of my life in this country, and this country has given me such a big parting gift. I will cherish this all my life.”

Shaikh Riyazuddin, 34, moved to Dubai in 2018 to earn and provide a better life for his family back home in India.

"I want our adopted daughter to get a higher education so she can stand on her own feet and be ready for the world. I am very happy that I will be able to give her a good education," he said.

Mohammed Firoj Ma, a Bangladeshi worker who moved to Dubai in 2004, said he was grateful for the gift.

“With this money, I can help build a brighter future for my family and can also save for their future,” the father of two said.

International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day, honours labourers for their often unsung contribution.