Sheikh Hamdan launches award to encourage progressive labour practices

DUBAI // A new award has been launched aimed at recognising and honouring companies that use progressive labour standards.

The Taqdeer Award was announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

A points-based system will be used to judge and assess labour welfare practices that meet global standards.

“The award programme reflects the importance Dubai places on ensuring progressive labour practices in line with global standards,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

“The new programme is consistent with the objectives of Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a city of happy, empowered people.”

The award is named after the Arabic word for ‘appreciation’ and will be used as a way of promoting better labour welfare in the emirate.

The first year it will be focused on the construction sector and award organisers are inviting companies to take part by submitting documentation that will be evaluated by a judging committee.

Applicants will then be given points from one to five based on their evaluation and the awards are open to Dubai-based construction companies that employ manual workers.

“The extensive evaluation framework of the award will encourage companies to aspire to high standards in their management of labour,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

“We are confident that the award will help set new benchmarks for good labour practices across sectors and throughout the region.”

The aim was to make Dubai one of best places in the world to live and work, he said.

Sheikh Hamdan also praised the continuing efforts of the UAE Ministry of Labour in their effirt to create a safe environment for labour workers and urged all eligible companies to take part.

“Our country continues to enhance its legal framework for protecting labour rights and enhancing their quality of life,” he said.

Future editions will include factories in free zones where over 500,000 workers are employed, he said.

The award is for construction companies in civil, electrical and mechanical work that have been operating for at least two years and have executed a minimum of two projects in the last two years.

In the first year, only companies involved in the construction of buildings, roads, bridges, tunnels, plumbing installation and power generation plants are eligible for applying.