Abu Dhabi: Aldar Properties PJSC, one of the largest companies by market capitalisation in the UAE, said on Monday it's building a permanent labour accommodation facility in the industrial township of Musaffah.

Over the next two years, the facility will handle up to 100,000 workers.

"The first phase of the new, permanent camp for workers will be ready by late summer this year," Ronald Stephen Barrott, Aldar's chief executive officer, said.

He said during the initial phase the facility will accommodate 20,000 workers, which eventually will rise to 50,000 and by early 2010 when the project is complete it will provide accommodation at its optimum designed capacity.

The project is being executed by a joint venture company of Aldar and UK-based Laing O'Rourke, which is building the $20 billion Al Raha Beach project.

Barrott, however, declined to state the estimated cost of construction of the permanent labour accommodation facility.

"The cost of construction is commercially sensitive information," he said.

Aldar chairman Ali Ahmad Al Sayegh said that Aldar and Abu Dhabi are committed to the welfare of their ever-expanding workforce.

"Aldar is here for the long term. The labour force is increasing. We want to ensure they are comfortable, productive and safe," he said, during the launch of the first phase of a temporary, 12,900 person labour accommodation facility on the Yas Island development site.

No compromise

"We cannot compromise on these issues, one of them is labour safety."

He said Aldar wants its workers to live close to its ongoing developments on the Al Raha Beach and Yas Island.

"Transportation will not become a hardship factor for our employees," Al Sayegh said, adding that Aldar will also work on a plan to provide incentives for its workers.

"That's the next thing for us to consider. We need to incentivise workers to do more," said Al Sayegh.

He said the development of Aldar's projects would not have been possible without the efforts of its workforce.

"It is our mission to be a trusted provider, not only to our shareholders and customers, but to every employee working on Aldar projects," he added.

Aldar's Barrott said at the moment there's a considerable labour demand in the market.