Taqdeer an important initiative to recognise exceptional labour welfare practices: Sheikh Hamdan

Sheikh Hamdan directed all organisations and companies to support the Award.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council said that the Taqdeer Award is a key initiative that makes significant contributions to the UAE's efforts to enhance labour welfare practices.
Sheikh Hamdan said the success of the first and second editions of the Award in attracting the widespread participation of companies, and endorsement from international organisations are testament to the positive impact of the Award. He said the Award provides guidelines for improving the productivity of workers by enhancing their working conditions. The initiative contributes to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the world's best city to work and live, the Crown Prince said.
Sheikh Hamdan directed all organisations and companies to support the Award by promoting a positive and productive relationship between employers and workers.
Sheikh Hamdan's remarks came at the launch of the third edition of the Taqdeer Award that has been expanded to include factories, Dubai free zone companies and construction firms.
Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai) and Chairman of Taqdeer Award, expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his unlimited support. Major General Bin Suroor underlined the Award's efforts to expand cooperation with various entities to enhance labour conditions and promote excellence.
The first edition of the award, which focused on construction companies, saw the participation of 280 companies that together employed more than half a million workers. The second edition of the Award was expanded to include factories and free zone companies operating in Dubai, which gave an opportunity to about 10,000 factories and 36,000 other companies from different sectors to participate in the Award. Following this expansion, over a million workers were covered by the Award.
The second edition of the Award organised last year received praise from international labour organisations, diplomats and international media. Officials expressed their interest in studying the award to implement similar recognition programmes in their countries. The Award has played a key role in enhancing the UAE's reputation in worker welfare.
Major General Obaid called on contracting firms, factories and companies located in the free zones to participate in the Award, as this will help them enhance their reputation locally and internationally. All companies participating in the Award will receive assessment reports that will help them to build on their strengths and address weaknesses. The award provides an opportunity for companies and factories to better prepare themselves for the future and enhance business sustainability.
An arbitration committee consisting of Dubai Government leaders and specialised assessors are tasked with evaluating the submissions. Members of the committee are divided into evaluation teams of three assessors and a team leader each. After evaluation, each team submits a comprehensive report to the committee for approval and final decision.
The Award programme is based on a comprehensive points system. Companies are given a score out of 1,000 that includes 500 points for the criterion of labour empowerment, 250 points for the work environment and workers' relationship with employers and 250 points for key performance indicator scores.
The highest rating of 5-stars is awarded to companies that obtain 700 points or more. Companies that obtain over 550 points receive a 4-star rating while companies with over 450 points get a 3-star rating.
A 2-star rating is awarded to companies with over 300 points while the lowest rating of 1-star is awarded to companies with less than 300 points.
Winners of 5 and 4-star ratings will receive a certificate of appreciation and enjoy priority in government projects.

• Dubai