Taqdeer Award Certified Assessors have started the evaluation process for construction companies in Dubai that have applied to participate in Taqdeer Award 2016.

Taqdeer Award is the world’s first points-based award programme for recognising excellence in labour welfare practices and seeks to promote international best practices in labour welfare among construction companies alongwith enhancing relationship between companies and workers and also recognising excellence among workers.

The award, launched under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, will enhance the relationship between companies and workers by recognising excellence in labour practices and setting new benchmarks in work practices across sectors in Dubai.

Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, the deputy director general of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai and chairman of Taqdeer Award, said a large number of construction companies have expressed their interest in participating in the award.

"By showing a strong interest in participating in the Taqdeer Award, construction companies in Dubai have reflected their keenness to set international benchmarks in labour welfare practices. This is the first-of-its-kind award in labour welfare and we are confident it will have a positive impact across sectors of the economy," stated Major General Obaid.

According to him, the evaluation process starts with 'Desktop Evaluation', which involves assessment of documents submitted by the companies. The assessors have started 'Desktop Evaluation' for the companies.

Following the completion of 'Desktop Evaluation', the Taqdeer Assessors will conduct onsite visits to verify that the measures being taken and facilities being provided for workers are in accordance with the award criteria. The onsite visits will start this month, he stated.

There are around 282 companies in this sector in Dubai, providing jobs for more than 500,000 workers. The award will target those companies employing more than 100 workers.

The assessors include managerial level experts from different nationalities and with experience of being associated in assessment procedures and have undergone special training to carry out the assessment procedure for the award.

In its first cycle, the Taqdeer Award will cover the construction sector that employ manual workers and the future cycles will include factories and free zones, stated Major General Obaid.

The participating companies will be awarded the ratings from one star to five stars.

Winners of five and four-star ratings will receive a certificate, enjoy priority in government projects, and will be honoured at an award ceremony. These top ratings will give companies a competitive advantage in bidding for international contracts, he noted.

These awards have been launched in line with the vision of the Dubai’s leadership to make Dubai the world’s best places to live and work, said Major General Obaid.

The award reflects Dubai’s serious efforts in the area of enhancing employer-employee relationship and aims to enhance awareness among labourers about their rights and duties, encouraging workers to contribute their best, while setting international benchmarks in labour welfare practices, he added.-TradeArabia News Service