Taqdeer Award has been created to recognise and reward excellence in labour relations, strengthening the Emirate of Dubai’s position as home to the most progressive employers in the Middle East world.
Participating companies must provide examples of their best employment practices and comprehensive use of global benchmarks including labour policies, facilities and infrastructure, health and safety, labour security, recruitment and wages, justice and transparency, communication and feedback, creativity and innovation, administration, labour perceptions and key performance indicators
Participating companies are awarded a rating ranging from one to Seven stars, based on the number of points they receive in a rigorous review and evaluation of their entry by an independent judging committee. Although the programme will expand to bring in other industries under its gamut gradually, the programme, in the first year, is open exclusively to Dubai-based companies in the construction sector that employ manual workers.
Winners of 4 and 5-star ratings will receive certificates; be given priority in some government projects and be honoured during a special ceremony. As well as getting the prestigious award, top ratings will give companies a distinct competitive advantage with regard to international opportunities. These incentives will help inspire excellence in labour relations and encourage companies to place the welfare of their workforce as one of the pillars of their business philosophy.
Making Dubai the most labour-friendly city in the world.
Positioning the UAE as a leader in employee welfare.
Raising standards and the protection of labour rights.
Strengthening relationships between companies and their workforce.
Recognizing free zone, construction, manufacturing, and service sector companies for their efforts toward staff welfare.
Providing independent feedback to participating companies to improve employee welfare initiatives and practices.
All qualifying companies (construction, free zone, manufacturing, and service sectors) in Dubai, regardless of their classification, specialisation, or nationality, can participate.
| No. | Stars | Achieved Scores | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 800+ | 3 Years |
| 2 | 6 | 700 - 799 | 2 Years |
| 3 | 5 | 600 - 699 | 2 Years |
| 4 | 4 | 500 - 599 | 2 Years |
| 5 | 3 | 400 - 499 | 1 Year |
| 6 | 2 | 300 - 399 | 2 Years |
| 7 | 1 | 200 - 299 | 1 Year |
In addition to the main Taqdeer Award, the Award committee will select three winners based on the highest scores in each of the three main criteria:
| No. | Criteria Awards |
|---|---|
| 1 | Best Score – Criteria 1: Corporate Systems & Resources (350 points) |
| 2 | Best Score – Culture & Labor Relations (350 Points) |
| 3 | Best Score – Results & Impact (300 points) |
The Taqdeer Award committee recognises distinguished Engineers, Field Supervisors and Labourers, as nominated by their award-winning companies. Only companies who have achieved three, four or five stars can submit nominations, as per the below:
Stars are awarded as follows:
| No. | Individual Awards |  |
 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distinguished Engineer | 1 | 1 | - |
| 2 | Distinguished Field Supervisor | 1 | 1 | - |
| 3 | Distinguished Labourer | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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Meeting all of the award criteria |
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Providing supporting documentation |
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Undertaking robust business practices |
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Demonstrating a commitment to labour protection |
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Adherence to high morals, ethics, and principles |
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Applying for another award at the same time as Taqdeer is not permitted |
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Compliance with UAE and international labour laws and regulations |
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Must be a construction, free zone, manufacturing, or service enterprise. |
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Must hold a valid business license in Dubai |
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License must be issued by the relevant government and/or free zone authorities in its sector |
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A minimum of 100 labour staff must be sponsored by the company and on its direct payroll. |
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Must have been in business for a period of two years or more. |
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Must have executed at least two projects employing their own workforce in the last two years. |
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Companies registered in Dubai with employees residing in other Emirates are eligible to participate. |
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Companies that rely on subcontractors are exempt from participating. |
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There must be no infringement of UAE labour laws. |
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Must have no employees working in the Taqdeer Award administration or part of the committee |
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Companies that have previously been awarded five stars at the Taqdeer Award must wait two years before reapplying. |
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All award entry requirements and deadlines must be met. |
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Workforce Strategy & Planning, HR Policies and Processes, Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunities, Labor Rights & Code of Ethics, and Assessment & Analysis
Describe your corporate approaches, systems, resources, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Workplace Facilities & Resources, Housing & Accommodation, Sports & Recreation Facilities, Travel & Transportation, and Partnership & Resources Sharing.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Physical Wellbeing, OHS Policy & Systems, OHS Culture & Awareness Training, OHS Equipment & Tools, and Housing & Workplace Safety & Security.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Recruitment & Selection, Orientation & Onboarding, Fair Wages, Benefits & Incentives, and Human Trafficking, Visa & Work Permits.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Upskilling & Competency Development, Career Path & Personal Development Plan, Coaching & Mentoring, Job Security & Retention.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Communication Strategy & Channels, Transparency & Openness, Freedom of Expression & Feedback, and Performance Review, Recognition & Rewards.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Justice and Fair Treatment, Trust & Autonomy, and Complaints & Grievances.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Leadership, Engagement & Motivation, Involvement & Teamwork, and Diversity, Tolerance, and Inclusion.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Innovative Environment & Culture, Creative Suggestions, Creativity & Innovation Recognition & Rewards, and Innovative Systems & Technology Adaptation.
Describe your corporate approaches, policies, systems, and practices related to the above sub-criterion by addressing Work-Life Balance, Mental & Emotional Wellbeing, and Corporate Social Responsibility & Volunteering.
Describe how you design, distribute, collect, analyze, and report findings and satisfaction ratings from comprehensive Workforce Engagement and Happiness Surveys, designed based on a meaningful set of performance dimensions, to gain insights into workforce satisfaction, motivation, and overall well-being.
Describe how you select, implement, and measure a list of the most meaningful indicators to report your corporate performance, achievement, and the impact of the people-centric strategies on overall corporate success by assessing the organization's capability to excel in areas such as workforce strategy, facilities and resources, occupational health and safety, recruitment, compensation, training, communication, diversity, tolerance, creativity, innovation, work-life harmony, and well-being.
Assessment and judging key principles include :
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Must be a company in the construction, free zone, manufacturing, and service sectors |
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Must hold a valid business license in Dubai |
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The license must be issued by the relevant government and/or free zone authorities in its sector |
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Must have a minimum of 100 labour staff, sponsored by the company and on its direct payroll |
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Must have been operating for two years or more |
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Must have executed at least two projects during the past two years using their own workforce |
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Companies registered in Dubai with staff accommodation in other Emirates can participate |
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Companies that rely on employing subcontractors are exempt from participating |
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Must have no violations of UAE labour laws |
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Must have no employees working in Taqdeer Award administration or part of the committee |
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Companies already having been awarded five stars at the Taqdeer Award must wait two years before reapplying |
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Must fulfill all award submission requirements and deadlines |
| Receipt Of Applications | Award Administrators |
|---|---|
| Receipt Of Applications | Award Administrators |
| Assessment of applications | Assessment Team |
| Agreeing on strengths, areas for improvement, and initial score | Assessment Team |
| Conducting site visits and uploading the final scores and reports | Assessment Team |
| Review of final reports and scores with technical advisor and subsequently forward to the Judging Committee | Secretary General |
| Subsequently forwarding to the Judging Committee | Judging Committee |
| Approval of final results, scores, and stars forwarded to the Chairman | Chairman |
| Approval of final results, scores and stars forwarded to the Chairman | Secretary General |
The Award will help us benchmark against the industry and see where we stand. It will be a recognition
for us on what we do and help us understand where we stand in the industry. The award is in
line with the vision of our wise leadership to ensure happiness for all, promote mutual understanding and
ensure the happiness of both employers and workers. 
Daq Tanvir
Group Human Resources Manager,
Dutco Balfour Beatty Group
