Dubai-based global marine terminal operator DP World has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA) to promote cooperation and coordination between them in empowering Emiratis.

CDA is responsible for setting up and developing a framework for social development, and aims to achieve the goals outlined in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 (DSP), as declared by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in February 2007.

Through the partnership, DP World has reaffirmed its commitment to its people by empowering Emiratis with employment, training and development opportunities, said a statement from the company.

CDA will train DP World staff on how to deal with people with disabilities, while facilitating courses on human rights, labour treaties and conventions. Additional skills development and employment opportunities will also be made available to Emiratis seeking to work at DP World, it said.

The MoU also mandates that both entities ensure the availability of jobs for low-income families and beneficiaries of financial social benefits. DP World and CDA will work in lockstep to implement the employment project and provide the relevant technical support in its pursuit, it added.

DP World’s group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “Our greatest asset is our people with 37,000 staff worldwide.”

“As a global trade enabler operating in a variety of communities and cultures, promoting the culture of inclusion and diversity is instrumental in our drive to build a sustainable future for the generations to come,” he said.

“We believe in equal opportunities for all with a particular emphasis on the empowerment of people with disabilities both within the UAE and across our portfolio of 77 marine and inland terminals in six continents,” he added.

Bin Sulayem welcomed the collaboration with CDA noting that it is one of many initiatives towards achieving DP World’s diversity and inclusion goals and contributes to the government’s efforts as Dubai is steering towards becoming one of the world’s most disabled-friendly cities by 2020.

He said: “This MoU underlines our commitment to our local community in line with the local law on protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Dubai, issued by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the ‘My Community’ initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.”  

“The history of the UAE has been one of vision and passing of knowledge across generations. We are proud to be part of this process and look forward to partnering with CDA and the Government of Dubai,” he concluded.

CDA director general Khaled Al Kamda, said: “We are glad to work closely with a prestigious company like DP World and are confident that this agreement will have a positive effect on our cooperation in the field of employing and empowering People with Disabilities (PWD).”

“CDA is responsible for one of the five main pillars of Dubai Disability Strategy 2020, which is employment. We have a mission to work with leading institutes in Dubai to develop a friendly work environment and trained teams to work with people with disabilities,” he said.

“The agreement will help developing clear methodologies to allow effective and inclusive employment for people with disabilities in DP World, with CDA consultation and support. We will coordinate with DP World to ensure the working environment is matching the standards of the Universal Design in order to achieve the objectives of ‘My Community’ initiative,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service