Get ready for the most ambitious edition yet! Under the prestigious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has officially launched the third edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award for 2025. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in the UAE, shines a spotlight on excellence, recognizing outstanding private sector companies and distinguished workers who set benchmarks in the nation’s dynamic labour market.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 award raises the bar significantly with more winners, a larger prize pool, and a new focus on worker well-being and sustainability. Read on to discover what’s new, who can participate, the incredible benefits for winners, and how to apply for this landmark award.
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The Emirates Labour Market Award returns this year for its third edition, honouring 98 winners across 5 categories, with a total prize pool of AED 50 million.
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) April 7, 2025
Watch the video to learn more. Be part of the journey toward excellence and contribute your achievements to… pic.twitter.com/YVzAKW2uWz
Table of Contents
What is the Emirates Labour Market Award?
The Emirates Labour Market Award is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE, launched by MoHRE to celebrate and recognize outstanding private sector companies and individual workers. It’s not just about rewarding success—it’s about fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and competitiveness across all sectors of the UAE’s labor market.
The award’s third edition builds on the achievements of previous years, with a renewed focus on sustainability and worker well-being. As His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, 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.”
This year’s edition introduces a new subcategory under ‘Labour Accommodations,’ encouraging companies to implement sustainable and recreational initiatives for their workers, especially during national and Eid holidays. These efforts are designed to boost productivity, promote positive values, and foster a sense of belonging among workers—key pillars of the UAE’s compassionate and unified society.
What’s New and Bigger in the 3rd Edition?
The 2025 Emirates Labour Market Award marks a significant expansion:
- More Winners: A total of 98 winners will be recognised, up from 84 in the second edition.
- Increased Prize Value: The total prize pool has surged to AED 50 million, a substantial increase from AED 37 million previously.
- New Focus on Worker Well-being: A new subcategory has been added under ‘Labour Accommodations’. This specifically encourages and rewards companies implementing sustainable and recreational initiatives for their workers, particularly during national and Eid holidays. This aims to boost productivity, foster positive values, enhance belonging, and ensure compliance with worker rights and quality of life standards.
Deep Dive: Award Categories for 2025
The award features five main categories recognizing diverse contributions:
- Establishments Category (40 Winners): Honours companies with exemplary HR practices based on criteria like employment, empowerment, talent attraction, work environment, workforce quality of life, innovation, future readiness, and full compliance with labour regulations.
- Outstanding Workforce Category (30 Winners): Recognises individuals across three subcategories:
- Skilled Workforce: High-level professionals judged on achievements, continuous learning, and social responsibility.
- Workers at Other Professional Levels: Evaluated on achievements and social responsibility.
- Domestic Workers: Evaluated on achievements and social responsibility. (Nominations for the latter two can come from companies, the community, employers, or families).
- Labour Accommodations Category (10 Winners): Awards best investment and standards in labour housing. Includes the new subcategory rewarding companies for sustainable initiatives, recreational programs, and fostering loyalty/unity among workers.
- Business Services Partners Category (3 Winners): Divided into:
- Domestic Worker Recruitment Offices: Top performers following best practices.
- Employment Agencies: Leading agencies excelling in attracting qualified talent.
- Business Service Centres: Outstanding centres empowering their workforce and providing exceptional services.
- Special Recognition Category (15 Winners):
- Pioneering Company (12 Winners): Organisations implementing practices with significant positive impact on the UAE labour market.
- Influencers (3 Winners): Individuals contributing to raising awareness of labour laws and initiatives.
Why Participate? Benefits for Winners
Winning the Emirates Labour Market Award comes with significant advantages:
- For Companies:
- 1st Place: Classified in MoHRE’s prestigious first category, receiving service discounts leading to potential savings of up to AED 1.2 million.
- 2nd Place: Similar benefits with potential savings up to AED 1 million.
- 3rd Place: Benefits with potential savings up to AED 500,000.
- All Winning Companies: Receive MoHRE’s Diamond tier customer service, ensuring transaction priority, dedicated technical support, and premium phone service access.
- For Individuals:
- 1st Place: Cash prize of AED 100,000.
- 2nd Place: Cash prize of AED 75,000.
- 3rd Place: Cash prize of AED 50,000.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for the Emirates Labour Market Award 2025 is straightforward. Here’s how:
- Visit the Official Website: Head to riyada.mohre.gov.ae.
- Choose Your Category: Select the appropriate category for your application.
- Submit Your Application: Provide all required details and supporting documents.
- Deadline: Ensure your submission is complete by August 31, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed by specialized committees based on criteria such as:
- Employment and empowerment
- Occupational health and safety
- Creativity and innovation
- Talent attraction
- Social responsibility
Winners will be honored at a prestigious ceremony in November 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Emirates Labour Market Award?
It’s a prestigious award by MoHRE, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recognising outstanding private sector companies and distinguished workers for pioneering practices in the UAE labour market.
What are the main changes in the 3rd edition (2025)?
The award has expanded to 98 winners (up from 84), increased the prize pool to AED 50 million (up from AED 37 million), and introduced a new subcategory under Labour Accommodations focused on sustainable and recreational initiatives for worker well-being.
Who is eligible to participate?
Private sector companies, individual workers (skilled, other professional levels, domestic workers), labour accommodation providers, domestic worker recruitment offices, employment agencies, business service centres, and influencers promoting labour law awareness can participate or be nominated, depending on the category.
What are the prizes for winners?
Winning companies receive classification benefits and service discounts worth up to AED 1.2 million, plus Diamond tier MoHRE service. Individual winners receive cash prizes ranging from AED 50,000 to AED 100,000.
What is the application deadline for the 2025 award?
The deadline for submitting applications is August 31, 2025.
Where can I submit an application?
Applications must be submitted through the official award website: riyada.mohre.gov.ae.
How are the winners selected?
Submissions are reviewed by specialised committees based on specific criteria for each category, including employment practices, OHS, innovation, talent attraction, labour relations, wages, and social responsibility. Winners are honoured at a ceremony in November 2025.
What is the new subcategory focused on?
The new subcategory under Labour Accommodations rewards companies that implement sustainable initiatives and recreational programs/activities to improve labour welfare, foster belonging, and support national unity, especially during holidays.
A Vision for Excellence and Sustainability
His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Chairman of the Award’s Supervisory Committee, expressed 1 deep gratitude for the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He stated, “The launch of the third edition… builds on the exceptional achievements of the second 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…”
He highlighted that the enhancements reflect MoHRE’s commitment to sustainable development, excellence, and innovation, aligning the award with the UAE labour market’s significant achievements in 2024, including global leadership in competitiveness indicators and growth in companies and workforce size. Dr. Al Awar urged companies and workers to participate, showcasing their achievements and contributing to the market’s ongoing development.
The Bigger Picture: Driving Labour Market Advancement
This award is more than just prizes; it’s a catalyst for progress. It encourages best practices, facilitates knowledge sharing, fosters partnerships, motivates the private sector, and ultimately contributes to the continuous growth and global leadership of the UAE’s labour market.
Conclusion: Seize the Opportunity to Shine
The Emirates Labour Market Award 2025 is more than just a recognition—it’s a celebration of excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the UAE’s labor market. With a record-breaking prize pool and a new focus on worker well-being, this is your opportunity to stand out. Whether you’re a company striving for best practices or a worker dedicated to making a difference, apply today and be part of the UAE’s vision for a competitive, world-class labor market. Don’t miss out—submit your application by August 31, 2025, and let your achievements take center stage!
For more information, visit MoHRE’s official website or the award portal at riyada.mohre.gov.ae.
Share this article with colleagues or friends who might benefit from this opportunity—let’s spread the word about excellence in the UAE’s labor market!apply!
