The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has organised a marathon for workers at Meydan in Dubai, in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council and the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in the Emirate of Dubai (PCLA), which brought together over 1,000 contestants.

The race forms part of the agenda of events the Ministry held in collaboration with its partners to celebrate the International Workers’ Day.

His Excellency Khalil Al Khoori, MoHRE’s Undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs; His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; and His Excellency Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in the Emirate of Dubai, honoured winners of the top three positions. Gifts were also distributed to participants in celebration of the international day.

“The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is committed to engaging workers at all occasions and celebrations, including International Workers’ Day, in appreciation of their role and contribution to the UAE labour market,” said Al Khoori, praising the cooperation of the Dubai Sports Council in organising the marathon.

“The celebratory events organised by the Ministry on this international occasion, in collaboration with its partners, underline the great value that the UAE places on work and workers,” he added. “They express our gratitude to everyone contributing to the development and prosperity of our country, which hosts more than 200 nationalities living and working together in a cohesive society that champions the values of compassion and tolerance.”

The celebratory events organised by the MoHRE in collaboration with its partners under the slogan #HonouringOurWorkers included visits to companies that made significant progress with Emiratisation to explore their training and employment programmes, meet Emirati employees in the private sector, and listen to their feedback. Visits were also made to workers’ accommodation facilities across the country to meet with workers and distribute gifts.

MoHRE launched the hashtag #HonouringOurWorkers, inviting the community to participate in International Workers’ Day celebrations by sharing an expressive shot that reflects the vital role of workers in the UAE.

Saeed Hareb said: “Workers have an important place in our community and their role is greatly appreciated by our wise leadership, as well as leading institutions and all segments of our society, given their significant contributions in our daily lives and nation-building ambitions. The Dubai Sports Council is proud to dedicate a sizeable portion of its annual activities and events to workers, providing them with an opportunity to play their favourite sports and expand their social networks with their peers in other companies and institutions.”

“We are delighted to see this large turnout from workers to take part in the marathon, which is a major addition to the list of events the Council organises for this key group, most notably the ‘Workers Sports Tournament’, the largest event of its kind, held in collaboration with the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs in Dubai, which takes place annually under the slogan ‘Their Happiness Is Our Goal’ across various sports facilities in Dubai, bringing together 40,000 workers from 275 companies to compete in 11 different sports.”

“The Council has also organised the first community sports event dedicated to delivery workers in the UAE, which brought together all delivery companies under one roof,” he noted. “We also organised the ‘Construction Workers Sports Day’ and ‘Cleaning Engineers Sports Day’ for cleaning workers in the Dubai Municipality, where workers participated in various sports and recreational activities. These diverse events organised by the Council send a message of appreciation for this important segment of our community, who deserve to enjoy sporting experiences that strengthen relations between companies and their employees.”

For his part, Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor said: “The Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in the Emirate of Dubai is committed to launching initiatives and developing partnerships with federal and local government entities, as well as the private sector, in an effort to provide the ideal healthy environment for workers, and celebrate them, their dedication, and their efforts.”

“Such initiatives provide an ideal environment and a decent life for workers, ensuring their wellbeing and happiness, and underlining their leading role in the production and development process,” he added. “This, in turn, motivates and encourages workers to work harder, enhancing the stability of work relations across institutions and companies, which ultimately benefits both employers and workers.”