Applications Open for UAE Labour Market Awards 2026

Applications have opened for the fourth edition of the Emirates Labour Market Award, which will recognise around 100 winners across company and individual categories in the UAE.
Organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the awards offer cash prizes of AED 100,000, AED 75,000 and AED 50,000 for first, second and third place winners in the individual categories. Applications will remain open until August 31st, 2026 through the ministry's online portal.
According to the ministry, this year's edition introduces updated categories intended to reflect evolving priorities across the labour market.
Company categories include Emirati Entrepreneurs, Leading Global Companies in the UAE, Digital Transformation Drivers, Outstanding Workforce Protection Schemes, Family-Friendly Work Environment, Talent Empowerment Partners, Industry Champions and Workforce Wellbeing.
Individual awards will recognise achievements in areas including leadership, technical and future skills, corporate support, craft professions, frontline occupations, support services and specialised caregiving.
Winning companies will be upgraded to the first category within the ministry's classification system and will receive discounts on ministry service fees, as well as Diamond-tier customer service with priority processing.
Submissions will be evaluated by specialised committees according to governance criteria and category-specific benchmarks. The award is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.