31 firms star-rated for labour welfare initiatives

Labourers present a gift as a gesture of thanks to Sheikh Mansour during the Taqdeer Award ceremony in Dubai on Monday as other senior officials look on. - Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

 The third edition of Taqdeer Award honoured 31 companies on Monday for providing the best working conditions for labourers, with companies vowing to improve performance and score the five-star rank.
Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum awarded the winning factories and construction and free zone companies based on their overall treatment of workers, infrastructure of accommodation provided, work environment, wages, health and safety and open-door policies. 
The award this year also added the "innovation" criteria to evaluate companies based on involving workers in their decision-making and taking up their innovative ideas.
The 31 winners were filtered down from 75 finalists of an initial 425 applications. Officials said the award witnessed 77 per cent growth in the number of participating companies compared to last year.
Major-General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, deputy director-general and chairman of Taqdeer Award, said the award saw many companies move from 3 to 4 stars from last year's event. "Companies receive a report from our committee on strengths and weaknesses, which helps them improve performance," he said.
Winners of 5-star and 4-star ratings will enjoy priority in government projects, giving them an advantage while bidding for international contracts.
An outstanding worker, engineer and supervisor from the 4 and 5-star winning companies received a cash prize and airline tickets. Bin Suroor noted that the award has grown over the past three years to reach over one million workers and record more than13,000 interests, up from 3,000 in the first year.
Improvement in labour affairs
It was the second time for Multiplex Constructions LLC to participate in the award and win a four-star rating.
Louis Linde, executive director of Multiplex Constructions LLC, noted that the award helped the company improve its recruitment process and accommodation conditions for labourers.
"As a construction company, our workers are everything. Without them, we won't be able to do what we do for a living. Ensuring their right state of mind, happiness and job satisfaction ensures better productivity and efficiency for our company," said Linde.
He added that since last year, the company has been focusing on ethical recruitment to make sure that agencies are not abusing labourers in the hiring process. Ensuring the best living conditions and providing extracurricular activities to achieve work-life balance has also been the company's main focus.
Linde said the award brings to the forefront how important labourer welfare is since they are behind the main drive to the country's economy. The company aims to achieve a five-star rating next year.
Participating for the first time, SD Middle East LLC achieved a three-star rating with an aim to achieve a five-star next year.
Mohammed Mohammed, general manager and CFO at the company, said the full evaluation report handed as part of this year's award helped spot areas that need improvement and showed areas that need more labourer engagement.
"We will be spending more time with labourers to see where else can we improve and help increase their productivity within our company," said Mohammed.
He noted that the award contributes to achieving employee welfare and enhances worker-employee relations.
Launched in 2016, Taqdeer Award aims to promote excellence in labour welfare practices and safeguard labour rights to increase productivity and efficiency across different sectors. Bin Suroor said the award aims to reach all companies across Dubai to improve industry performance and contribute to UAE economy.
And the winners are...
5-Star Rating
>Mai Dubai LLC from the manufactures sector
>Amana Steel Buildings Contracting LLC
>Imdaad LLC from the service sector
>Kimoha Entrepreneurs Limited
>Aswaaq LLC
4-Star Rating
>BIC Contracting LLC
>United Engineering Construction Company (LLC)
>Aroma International Building Contracting LLC
>Dulsco.LLC
>Desert Landscape Co. LLC
>Multiplex Constructions LLC
>Bam Higgs & Hill LLC
>Al Naboodah Construction
>Arabtec Construction LLC
>Geodis Freight Forwarding LLC
>Agility Global Logistics FZE
 3-Star Rating
>Eros Group
>Danway Electrical & Mechanical Engineering LLC
>UTS Carrier LLC
>Hard Precast Buildings Systems (L.L.C)
>Al Nasr Contracting Co. LLC
>Future Metro Tech. Cont. LLC
>Nestle Middle East Manufacturing
>Larsen & Toubro Limited ECC ?
>EFS Facilities Services
>Crown Emirates Co. Ltd
>GECO Mechanical & Electrical Ltd.Co
>Robert Bosch Middle East
>Al Sahel Contracting Company L.L.C
>SD (Middle East) LLC
>MS Construction LLC
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com