The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will start accepting nominations for the first edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award from June 1, 2023.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court, will be the patron of the Emirates Labour Market Award, as approved by the UAE Cabinet in March.
H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Chairman of the Emirates Labour Market Award’s Supervisory Committee, unveiled the details of the award at a media briefing in Dubai on Wednesday.
The award’s goal is to increase the competitiveness of the UAE labour market, boost its productivity and efficiency, recognize exceptional practices in the work environment, safeguard and encourage workers’ rights, and promote the well-being and quality of life of workers across private sector businesses, according to the Ministry.
Dr. Al Awar expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court, for his unwavering support in enhancing the local business climate and promoting business development in the UAE, as well as for his generous sponsorship of the award.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Chairman of the Emirates Labour Market Award’s Supervisory Committee, stated that the award is in line with the leadership’s vision to strengthen the advanced development ecosystem in the UAE and promote a comprehensive and supportive investment environment, according to WAM.
“The annual award is a major contribution to the business environment in the UAE. It reflects the leadership’s keenness to enhance the UAE’s competitiveness and accelerate building a comprehensive economy that is the strongest, most active, most diverse, and fastest-growing in the world,” he added.
During the media briefing, Al Awar said the award’s categories “stimulate healthy competition” in the private sector. “These categories also reflect the vital role played by the establishments, domestic workers recruitment agencies, and employment agencies in advancing the overall business environment.”
Al Awar elaborated that the award aims to foster public-private partnerships by recognizing establishments and their successful practices, and honoring their owners and leading employees. The award is based on clear criteria that encompass various aspects of the labor market, such as employment, skilled labor attraction and empowerment, occupational health and safety, employment relationships and wages compliance, facilities and work environment, future-proofing, encouragement and motivation, achievement, creativity and innovation, continuous learning, and social responsibility.
The Emirates Labour Market Award has three main categories: Establishments, Workforce, and Business Service Partners. The Establishments Category acknowledges leading establishments in the labor market that have managed employment relationships exceptionally. It is further divided into a main category and six subcategories based on the size of establishments. The Leading Establishment in the Labor Market Award is granted to establishments that have adopted the best human resource practices and complied strictly with work environment regulations and standards. There are seven winners for each subcategory and category level, resulting in a total of 28 awards.
To apply for the Establishments Category, establishments must be registered on MoHRE’s database and have been operating in the labor market for at least two years. They must not be government-owned or have had a judicial ruling or penalties imposed on them for violating UAE labor legislation in the previous year.
In order to apply for the Establishments Category, establishments must have been in the labor market for at least two years, be registered on the MoHRE’s database, complete the nomination application, and comply with the award’s timeframe. If an establishment wins an award, it cannot participate in the award again until two sessions have been held.
The Workforce Category recognizes outstanding workers who have served the UAE’s businesses and community and is divided into three subcategories based on skill level and criteria such as achievement, creativity, innovation, and social responsibility. The General Nominations Category is open to all workforce types and nominations are accepted from government agencies, private sector establishments, and the community overall.
To be nominated, participants must have worked at the establishment for at least one year, have no labor complaints or suspensions registered against them in the previous year, and have a clean profile. The Business Service Partners Category is divided into three subcategories: Domestic Workers Recruitment Agencies, Employment Agencies, and Business Service Centres, all of which recognize leading companies that apply best practices to improve the labor market’s productivity and efficiency.
The award has three categories, and one winner will be awarded for each category. To be eligible for the award, entities must be registered in the MoHRE’s database, have been in the labour market for two years or more, and have no judicial ruling or penalties imposed on them for violating labour legislation in the UAE during the previous year.
The entities must also complete the nomination application and adhere to the award’s timeframe. Winning entities are not allowed to participate in the award until two sessions have been held since they received the award.
From June 1, the MoHRE will accept nomination applications through a dedicated page on its website, riyada.mohre.gov.ae, until August 31. In September, an in-office and on-field evaluation will take place before the award ceremony is held in November.
The award is supported by various sponsors, including DAMAC Properties, Emirates NBD, du, ADNOC, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Al-Futtaim Group, Abu Dhabi Chamber, Mashreq Bank, Dubai Insurance Company, Mediclinic Middle East, ADCB, LuLu Group International, Chalhoub Group, Al Nukhba Centre – Businessmen Services, Al Saada Centre – Domestic Workers Services, Emirates News Agency (WAM), and Abu Dhabi Media (ADM).
