Owing to the overwhelming response from companies in construction sector, free zones and factories for Taqdeer Award, the deadline for submitting the entries has been extended to November 9.

The move from the awards management is aimed at giving the opportunity to the maximum number of companies to compete in the Taqdeer Awards, the world’s first points-based reward system for recognising excellence in labour welfare practices.
 
It has already received more than 200 applications from companies in construction sector, free zones and factories.

Taqdeer-certified assessors have already started the evaluation process for companies, which will be followed by site visits, said the award committee members.

Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, the deputy director general of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai and chairman of the Taqdeer Award, said: "The number of companies that are keen on participating this year is more than double compared to the first year."

"Not only are companies keen on implementing the criteria and setting international benchmarks, they want to be recognised by Taqdeer Award to enhance their credibility on an international level. Due to the high response, we want to accommodate and give the opportunity to a larger number of companies and have decided to extend the last date by two weeks," he added.

Launched under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Taqdeer Award seeks to promote international best practices in labour welfare.

The points-based reward system will evaluate companies in various aspects including essential fundamentals such as labour policies, occupational health; and cultural and work environment factors such as communication, creativity and innovation, rules and regulations; as well as results based on labour perceptions and performance indicators.

Companies that get four- and five-star rating will be given priority in awarding government projects, it added.-TradeArabia News Service