Dubai: In honour of the blue-collar workforce in the UAE, the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs (PCLA) organised an event in Jebel Ali on Sunday attended by almost 200 workers.
International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day, is a celebration of workers and the working class held around the world every year on May 1.
Delegates from a number of government departments, such as the Community Development Authority and the Department of Human Resources, were present during the event at the premises of the Khansaheb Company in Jebel Ali. More than 150 organic meals were distributed to workers by Elevation Burger, with the Department of Islamic Affairs also distributing 150 meals. T-shirts and booklets highlighting the UAE’s labour laws were also handed out to workers by the PCLA.
Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Surour, Chairman of the PCLA, welcomed workers at the event, thanking them for their efforts, which he said were indispensable in the building of the emirate. “It is with your help that we managed to bring Dubai to the prominence it enjoys today,” he told the workers. “We are indebted to you and want to ensure you have a pleasant stay in the country and work under ideal conditions. We want you to be healthy and well.”
More than 150 workers underwent free eye tests at a mobile eye clinic sponsored by Noor Dubai. As many as 57 eyeglasses were handed out to workers who previously underwent eye tests and were advised glasses.
Hanan Al Shabeebi, Financial Manager of Noor Dubai, said that the free eye tests for workers would be held at regular intervals. “It won’t be a one-off thing,” she said. “We will be offering free eye tests and treatments on a regular basis. We will be cooperating with the PCLA to ensure the initiative reaches as many workers as possible.”
A GDRFA official said that some of the workers weren’t even aware that they suffered from conditions that affected their eyesight. “Most didn’t know they needed eyeglasses,” he added
Officials from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) gave a lecture on road safety during the event and distributed booklets entitled ‘Pedestrian Safety: Responsibility of All.’
