The UAE’s wise leadership is committed to the fundamental right to work and dignity of labour, as provided by the UAE’s constitution and laws, as well as all international human rights agreements. On the occasion of Labour Day 2018, annually celebrated on 1st May, I extend my sincere congratulations to our employees at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). On Labour Day, we reiterate our commitment to our employees’ welfare, to guarantee their rights, enhance their work-skills and ensure their happiness.
We recently announced DEWA joining the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. With this announcement, DEWA becomes the UAE’s first government utility to join the UNGC and adopt its ten basic principles in the fields of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Joining the UNGC is part of DEWA’s efforts in this regard, especially since the ten principles of the UNGC are consistent with our administrative policies, corporate governance principles, and our strategic and developmental objectives. This supports the objectives of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071, the UAE Vision 2021, and the Dubai Plan 2021.
DEWA is committed to raising awareness of the importance of creating a healthy, safe and happy work environment among its employees. We are committed to implementing the highest international standards in occupational safety and health. DEWA has an Integrated Management Systems policy to further promote a culture of health, safety and sustainability across its divisions and operations. This includes spreading awareness and preventing injuries, management of natural resources in a way that ensures its sustainability; management of waste disposal to reduce and recycle it; and meeting the needs of quality, health, safety and environment in design, construction, operation and maintenance. This ensures the planning, monitoring and measurement of the performance of quality, health, safety and environment performance systems.
Security and safety standards in DEWA have exceeded 98%, which is considered one of the best in the world. In 2017, DEWA was awarded the Sword of Honour for Health and Safety for the tenth time by the British Safety Council. It was one of 50 organisations worldwide to receive that recognition for its global leadership and excellence. This reflects DEWA’s commitment to protect its employees and keep them safe.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to DEWA’s employees who are highly committed to DEWA’s guidelines. This enables us to provide electricity and water, at the highest levels of quality, reliability and availability in the world.