The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ) and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) have launched labors award “Re’ayah”, an initiative honoring hosted companies that have shown remarkable dedication to protecting the rights of their workers and offering a secure, fair and motivational work environment.
The move is part of the ongoing collaborative efforts of DAFZ and DSOA to provide an integrated framework aimed at safeguarding the rights, safety and wellbeing of workers in hosted companies which currently manage 33,000 employees, 17,000 of whom are laborers.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), underlined that “Appreciating the workforce is an integral part of the values and principles instilled by Dubai’s wise leadership whose initiatives reflect the principle of peaceful coexistence between residents, thus paving the way for new prospects to reinforce positive cooperation amongst workers and private companies in Dubai-based freezones.”
“Dubai’s outstanding success and excellence are highly attributed to its strict attention to details and high standards, which helps improve the efficiency and performance of private companies and their work power. “Re’ayah” represents a significant addition to efforts aimed at consolidating Dubai’s and the UAE’s regional and international leadership in protecting labor rights in line with international laws,” he added.
He underlined DAFZ’s and DSOA’s commitment to supporting the government in its quest to improve work conditions and establish regulatory and legal frameworks for ensuring the security, safety and wellbeing of workers who are considered effective partners in the development and growth of the emirate.
He added: “Safeguarding labor rights is among our top strategic priorities and an ethical, civilized and humanitarian commitment, emphasizing the need to comply with the directives of the wise leadership in offering the necessary means to ensure the happiness, satisfaction and wellbeing of all people, including workers.”
“Re’ayah” is bestowed based on a group of criteria which includes justice, transparency, creativity, innovation, health, safety and other core values which contribute effectively to protecting workers’ rights, and inspired by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who once said that we are ‘an important humanitarian center on the international stage.’ We are honored to launch the labors award “Re’ayah” which will undoubtedly contribute towards encouraging the adoption of best practices in the protection of labor rights and raising the spirit of competitiveness between companies and their workers in order to reach the highest levels of excellence. We look forward through this award to support the growing government approach towards establishing robust foundations for achieving Dubai Plan 2021 aimed at making Dubai a preferred living and working destination, as well as reinforce the emirate’s position as a key player in defending labor rights,” Al Zarooni added.
The award will greatly benefit workers as well as companies, as it will help raise awareness on labor rights, duties and responsibilities and help reduce complaints, grievances, absenteeism and conflicts. The award will also enable workers to express their opinions and suggestions to higher managements at DAFZ and DSOA based companies, which will help ensure the provision of a motivational work environment that guarantees better productivity, innovation and excellence.
The companies nominated for “Re’ayah” are subject to professional assessment based on International Labour Organization standards. The criteria are classified into three main categories: Essential Fundamentals (Labor Policies, Facilities & Infrastructure, Health & Safety, Labors Security, Recruitment & Wages), Culture & Work (Admin Resolutions & Instructions, Labors Relations, Communication & Feedback, Justice & Transparency, Creativity & Innovation) and Labor Results (Labors Perceptions, Performance Indicators). Winners will be awarded under the large, medium and small enterprises categories and will receive platinum, gold and silver trophies. Results will be announced in May 2016.
