UAE: Winners of the sixth edition of the Taqdeer Award were honoured during a special ceremony held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
The event was attended by senior UAE officials, including Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Abdulrahman Al Awar, Director General of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, and Dubai Sports Council Secretary General Saeed Hareb.
Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Chairman of the Taqdeer Award, announced that participation will be expanded in upcoming editions to include the food industries, hospitality, and transport sectors, recognising the role of workers in supporting economic growth and improving quality of life in Dubai.
He also confirmed the adoption of a 7-star classification for the ultimate winner, with the award continuing to develop its evaluation standards to enhance competitiveness.
During the ceremony, Bayer Middle East FZE received the 7-star classification, while Airbus Africa & Middle East secured the 6-star category. Several companies, including Petronash FZE, Dulsco Group, Crown Emirates Company LTD., Aries Marine and Engineering Services LCC, SD – Middle East LLC, and Nestlé Dubai Manufacturing, were recognised in the 5-star category.
Organisers said the Taqdeer Award has evolved into a strategic government initiative promoting workforce welfare since its launch in 2016, initially focusing on Dubai’s construction sector before expanding across industries.
Major General bin Suroor stated that over a decade, the award has helped drive institutional development and improve workplace performance. Statistics show 15,677 participants across editions, with 165 companies honoured and overall participation rising by 23%.
The award framework evaluates workplace culture, labour relations, organisational systems, and overall impact to ensure comprehensive assessment.
During the event, the Dubai 7×7 initiative was also announced in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council. The programme will feature seven sports over seven consecutive days across three labour zones, targeting more than 20,000 workers. It will begin on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr and conclude with a running race and final sporting events.
Officials said the initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to enhancing workforce wellbeing and reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as a city that values dignified work and sustainable development.
