Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced the launch of the third edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award for 2025.
This groundbreaking initiative, the first of its kind in the UAE, aims to acknowledge outstanding practices in the labour market, recognizing exemplary private sector companies and exceptional workers.
The third edition of the award sees an expansion, with 98 winners, up from 84 in the previous edition. The total prize value has also increased to AED 50 million, up from AED 37 million last year. A new subcategory under ‘Labour Accommodations’ has been introduced to promote sustainable and recreational initiatives for workers, particularly during national and Eid holidays. These initiatives not only enhance productivity but also help foster positive values, a sense of belonging, and unity, all while adhering to laws that protect workers’ rights and well-being.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Chairman of the Award’s Supervisory Committee, expressed his thanks to H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his ongoing support, which has played a crucial role in the award’s growth and significance.
He noted, “The launch of the third edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award builds on the exceptional achievements of the second edition, which serves as the foundation of a renewed, inspiring, and more innovative edition. Through this award, we aim to further strengthen the culture of competitiveness and raise the bar for excellence across all sectors of the UAE’s labour market, underpinned by effective governance that upholds the principles of transparency and integrity.”
Dr. Al Awar emphasized that the new edition reflects MoHRE’s commitment to sustainable development, aligning with the principles of excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The award plays a vital role in promoting best practices while also reflecting the UAE labour market’s growth and leadership in key global competitive indicators.
He encouraged both companies and workers in the private sector to participate in the award, which serves as an ideal platform for sharing expertise, forming partnerships, and fostering business growth, ultimately contributing to the development of the UAE’s labour market.
The award features five main categories. The first, ‘Establishments’, will honor 40 winners from companies that demonstrate exceptional human resource practices, including employment, empowerment, talent attraction, work environment, and workforce quality of life. Companies must also show compliance with labour market regulations and workplace standards.
The second category, ‘Outstanding Workforce’, will recognize 30 individuals across three subcategories. The ‘Skilled Workforce’ subcategory honors high-level professionals based on achievements, commitment to continuous learning, and social responsibility. The ‘Workers at Other Professional Levels’ and ‘Domestic Workers’ subcategories evaluate individuals for their achievements and social contributions, with nominations accepted from companies, communities, employers, and families.
Ten winners will be recognized in the third category, ‘Labour Accommodations’, which rewards companies for investing in labor accommodations and implementing best practices. The newly added subcategory rewards companies that foster a sense of belonging, loyalty, and national unity by organizing sustainable and recreational initiatives for workers, especially during national and Eid holidays.
In the ‘Business Services Partners’ category, three winners will be honored across three subcategories: ‘Domestic Worker Recruitment Offices’, which recognizes top-performing offices; ‘Employment Agencies’, which rewards agencies excelling in attracting qualified talent; and ‘Business Service Centres’, which acknowledges centers providing outstanding services to empower their workforce.
The fifth category, ‘Special Recognition’, includes two subcategories. ‘Pioneering Company’ will recognize 12 organizations for their significant impact on the UAE labour market, while the second subcategory will honor three influencers who have raised awareness of labour laws and initiatives.
This year’s awards offer several advantages for winners. First-place winners will be classified in the Ministry’s top category and enjoy discounts on MoHRE services, with potential savings of up to AED 1.2 million. Second- and third-place winners will receive similar benefits with savings of up to AED 1 million and AED 500,000, respectively. All winners will receive MoHRE’s Diamond tier customer service, prioritizing their transactions and addressing technical challenges.
For individual winners, the first-place recipient will receive AED 100,000, while second and third place will receive AED 75,000 and AED 50,000, respectively.
Applications can be submitted through the official website, riyada.mohre.gov.ae, until August 31, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by specialized committees based on criteria such as employment and empowerment, innovation, social responsibility, and compliance with industry standards. The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in November 2025.
