Dubai: Every company participating in the Taqdeer Award will receive a detailed report highlighting strengths and weakness concerning labour welfare, which invariably effects quality of work and production levels, a top official has said.
An accolade for companies which exhibit good labour practices, the Taqdeer Award aims to spark healthy competition in the labour market and enhance the quality of life for blue-collar workers. Award-winners will be given priority in government projects, an incentive which will prompt companies to improve labour practices.
In an interview with Gulf News, Major General Obaid Mehayar Bin Surour, chairman of the Taqdeer Award, said the criteria for the award will raise the level of fair practices in protection of labour rights in the construction sector.
“The award aims to improve the relationship between organisations and their workforce,” Maj Gen Bin Surour said. “This will ultimately reflect on the local economy, increasing labour productivity along with enhancing quality levels.”
The award, which is the first of its kind, was launched by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in October. “Taqdeer is the latest addition to Dubai Government’s recognition programmes that celebrate excellence, innovation and creativity,” Shaikh Hamdan had said, adding: “The award reflects the importance Dubai places on ensuring progressive labour practices in line with global standards,”
Maj Gen Bin Surour, who is also the chairman of the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs, said all participating companies will receive a report detailing their strengths and weaknesses.
“The report is one of the most crucial parts of the award,” he said. “The judging committee will draft a report pointing out companies’ strengths and, more importantly, what they need to improve.”
More than 500 companies are expected to participate in the award. The award ceremony, Bin Surour said, is scheduled to take place some time in October. An awareness campaign will be conducted across the emirate to inform companies about the criteria and incentives of the award.
Maj Gen Bin Surour pointed out that the award is still in its first phase and is expected to enhance Dubai’s image in the international arena in the long run.
“Taqdeer means ‘recognition’,” he said. “Constant recognition of organisations in the building and construction sector will inspire them to better their practices. The award is meant to be a badge of sorts. Companies with a five-star rating will be given priority to execute government projects. The award displays how conscientious a company is about protecting labour rights and enhancing the lives of workers.”
Companies will be ranked based on a point system. The assessment team comprises three members and a head, who, according to Maj Gen Bin Surour, have in-depth knowledge of the labour market and laws.
The points will be based on three criteria: culture and work environment (250 points), essential fundamentals such as labour security, recruitment and wages (250 points) and labour results, which will include labour perceptions (500 points).
“We’ve already begun receiving applications from companies,” he said. “They will be ranked on a scale of 1,000 on a number of criteria. Companies who receive at least 700 points will be given a five-star rating.
“We look at a number of things when assessing a company, including how much it tries to enhance labourers’ knowledge about their rights and duties toward organisations. We look at whether they pay their workers on time and ensure a healthy work environment. This will help decrease the number of labour disputes in Dubai and increase prosperity and work satisfaction levels.”
He called on all companies in Dubai to send in their applications, provided they meet the requirements. Applications can be submitted online at www.taqdeeraward.ae
Maj Gen Bin Surour pointed out the award’s logo, which features blue and yellow hands, alluding to construction gloves, “cupped together in unity. It is meant to visually reinforce our message”.
Quoting His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Maj Gen Bin Surour said: “We want to make Dubai the ideal place for people to live and to work”, adding that this could only be made possible through constant improvement and innovation in the labour market.
Box 1 Taqdeer award point system
Total Points: 1,000
Essential Fundamentals: 250 points
Labour Policies, Facilities and Infrastructure, Health and Safety, Labour Security, Recruitment and Wages.
Culture and Work Environment: 250 points
Labour Relations, Communication and Feedback, Justice and Transparency, Creativity and Innovation, Admin Resolutions and Instructions
Labour Results: 500 points
Labour Perceptions, Performance Indicators
Box 2 Award eligibilityate
Must be licensed in Dubai and hold a valid business license.
Must be categorised as a ‘Building and Construction organisation, and perform engineering works such as civil, electrical and mechanical
Factories are not permitted to participate in the award at this stage,
Organisations established less than two years are not permitted to participate
New organisations must have executed a minimum of two projects at least during the past two years
Organisations that employ subcontractor labour are not permitted to participate
Organisations licensed in Dubai but having labour accommodation in a different emirate are permitted to participate.
