Workers honoured on Labour Day

Abu Dhabi: Badr Abdul Aziz Al Qassab works diligently at a call centre for a real estate firm. Looking at him, you would see a hard-working 33-year-old Emirati executive. What sets Al Qassab apart is how he has not let his blindness affect his unwavering commitment to his work.

It was therefore no wonder that he was honoured by the Ministry of Labour at a ceremony held to mark World Labour Day in the capital yesterday, along with more than 35 other Emiratis and expatriates.

At the ceremony, Minister of Labour Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash expressed his appreciation of Emiratis who had joined and helped develop the private sector. "Private sector production has greatly helped in the development of the country, and on World Labour Day, we would like to commend the efforts of those who have excelled in private sector jobs," Gobash said.

Among those honoured were teachers, doctors, engineers, craftsmen and banking executives.

Mousa Al Rumaithi, 79, an expert in the traditional Emirati craft of palm frond weaving, was also recognised at the event.

"I learned the craft at the age of nine from my grandmother and other female relatives, and have practised it all my life," Mousa said.

A Mobile Labour Care Unit was also launched to organise seminars for workers to educate them about their rights.