Twenty-seven private sector companies and national entities are sponsoring the first edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said Wednesday.

Approved by the UAE Cabinet, the annual award aims to boost the labour market’s competitiveness, enhance productivity and efficiency, and recognise best practices of work environment.

DAMAC Properties sponsors the Emirates Labour Market Award as a Diamond Sponsor, while Emirates NBD and du join as Platinum Sponsors, along with various additional sponsors in the Gold, Silver and Bronze categories, as well as media partners.

Her Excellency Noura Al Marzouqi, Assistant Undersecretary for Policy and Strategic Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said: “The Award underlines the UAE leadership’s priority to develop an advanced and integrated labour market, which calls for encouraging innovation, recognising creative individuals and organisations, and promoting a culture of excellence, enhancing the UAE’s position as a hub for creativity and global talent.”

Al Marzouqi applauded the private companies and national entities sponsoring the Award. “Their support is a testament to their deep awareness and commitment to social responsibility. It reflects their role as partners to promote excellence and encourage innovation in the UAE labour market, in a bid to boost its efficiency and competitiveness.”

His Excellency Hussain Sajwani, DAMAC Properties’ Founder and Chairman said: “The Emirates Labour Market Award marks the dawn of a new chapter in the nation’s journey towards a dynamic and progressive labour landscape. It signifies the UAE’s vision to emerge as a global leader in shaping the future of work and talent development.”

He added: “The Award’s goals resonate with DAMAC’s appreciation for the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our employees. Their contributions have been the cornerstone of our company’s success over the past decades. Our workforce has shown commitment and testament to their instrumental role is evident in the sizeable growth our organisation sees today. With these factors in mind, it is our earnest intent to actively support government initiatives that pave the way for greater growth and sustainability of our workforce. As we fortify the business landscape, the ripple effect is profound, enriching not only our own operations but also elevating the well-being of our employees, and sharpening our competitive edge on the global stage.”

On the same note, His Excellency Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, Platinum Sponsor of the Emirates Labour Market Award, stated: “Talent plays a key role in driving an organisation’s strategic decision-making process and actively working towards achieving its goals. We, at du, are dedicated to upskilling and nurturing talent within our organisation, understanding the crucial role we play in building a thriving job market.”

Al Hassawi added: “By sponsoring this Award, we demonstrate our support for the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s continuous efforts to create a competitive job market and develop a strong talent pool in the UAE while enhancing our contribution to the national economy. We are enthusiastic about fostering greater cooperation across various sectors and working together to achieve our collective goals.”

Meanwhile, Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Human Resource Officer at Emirates NBD, Platinum Sponsor of the Award said: “We are proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of this nationally significant initiative, as part of our continued collaboration with MoHRE. By rewarding and sharing employment best practices across the UAE’s private sector, we can strengthen our individual and collective competitiveness, foster greater engagement across our workforce and inspire individuals to reach their full potential.”

“At Emirates NBD, delivering globally-leading employment initiatives is one of our biggest strategic priorities. From world-class Emiratisation programs, to promoting workplace flexibility and offering some of the industry’s most generous family leave policies, this spirit of continuous improvement is already embedded in our organisational culture. We look forward to forging a path of growth, innovation and progress alongside MoHRE and the other sponsors.”

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 community; and the Business Service Partners category, which acknowledges companies that support the development of leading labour market practices.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation receives nominations for the Award in all three categories through the riyada.mohre.gov.ae website until 31 August 2023.