At the ceremony of the Emirates Labour Market Award in the UAE, two Filipino workers were honored for their outstanding contribution and exceptional quality of work in their respective fields. Norhana Mohammed Omar and Nestor Montalbo Handog secured first places in the categories 'Domestic Workers' and 'Electricians, Mechanics, Machine Operators, and Equipment.' The events are oriented towards protecting the rights of workers, simultaneously enhancing their well-being and quality of life in the private sector. Annually held by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the second ceremony awarded 84 winners from various companies and services out of more than 7,700 applications in five main categories, with a total prize fund estimated at 37 million dirhams.
Reports indicate that 63-year-old Omar has been working in the same Emirati family for over 25 years, while 49-year-old Handog has served in the same construction and project company for 18 years, which represents a remarkable testament to their loyalty and dedication. At the awards, held on November 14, the Philippine ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver and labor attaché Maria Teresa B. Olgado were present.
The goal of the Emirates Labour Market Award, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, is to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE labor market, increase productivity and effectiveness, and also recognize best practices in the country's work environment. All winners received prize money of 100,000 dirhams for the first place. Winning companies received a number of privileges, such as discounts on services from the Ministry, prioritized processing for transactions, resolution of technical problems, and specialized servicing from the call center.
