Sharjah festival to put a smile on workers’ faces
Sharjah to highlight their contribution to the urban development of the country
sharjah – To celebrate International Workers’ Day, labourers in Sharjah will be treated to a funfilled three-day event designed to highlight and showcase their significant contributions to the development of Sharjah and the UAE.
The event — which is being organised by the Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA) — will include cricket and volleyball matches between teams of labourers and a dedicated bazaar with a variety of retails, among other sporting and awareness activities.
“The three-day festival will offer entertainment in the form of cultural performances from different countries, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh,” said Salem Yousef Al Qaseer, chairman of the SLSDA.
The second day of the event will be a dedicated ‘Awareness Day’, which includes workshops that focus on spreading awareness of labour rights. “The authority [SLSDA] is making every effort this year to recognise and raise awareness of the efforts made by some of the hardest workers here in Sharjah,” Al Qaseer added.
400 workers from Sharjah expected to benefit from the May Day event
sharjah — Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (SLSDA) on Tuesday announced its plan to mark the International Workers’ Day in the emirate.
The International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day and May Day, falls on the first of May each year.
The SLSDA, a body to protect labour rights, intends to mark the International Workers’ Day with a celebratory three-day event from April 29 – May 1 at Al Sajah in Sharjah.
The SLSDA’s programme aims to highlight and showcase the significant contribution of labourers and working-class people to the urban development in the emirate and across the UAE.
The SLSDA recommended mandatory medical insurance for the workers, establishment of parks, commercial malls, sport courts and cinemas in the two labourers areas including Al Sajjah and Sharjah Industrial areas.
How they are going to celebrate
The list of programmes was made in the presence of Salem Yousef Al Qaseer, Chairman of the SLSDA, and Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, and Director of the SLSDA, at a Press conference held in the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A delegation of Sharjah Government officials, as well as representatives from the private sector and members of the Indian Association, were also present.
The director of the SLSDA, extended his thanks to the Indian Association for organising the festival and inviting labourers to join the celebration.
Addressing the Press conference Al Laser said that the celebration includes a series of entertaining sporting and awareness activities.
These include friendly cricket and volleyball matches between labourers and a dedicated bazaar (market) hosting a large number of retailers.
“The three-day festival will offer entertainment in the form of cultural performances from different countries, including: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh,” Al Qaseer added.
Al Qaseer stressed that employers must remain committed to adopting high working standards and paying special attention to the human side of their operations.
He also commended the role played by labourers in the rapid urban development of Sharjah and the UAE in general. Al Qaseer also noted that LSDA aims to help employers and laborers collaborate and liaise with the government agencies concerned for the provision of their needs and to ensure optimum workplace environments, according to the employer’s industry.
He added that the authority is an independent entity endowed with administrative autonomy and power to take all the necessary actions to achieve its objectives.
“The authority is committed to adopting the best international work practices and procedures to serve the interests of labourers, protect their rights and recognise their efforts.”
He added that although there are 5 million workers in the UAE, workers in Sharjah form only 19 per cent of the total number.
The labour body refers their issues and needs to the government after a careful study.
Al Qasimi clarified that among the celebrations and entertainment on the first day, the event will also have a medical camp offering free medical tests.
The second day will be ‘Awareness Day’ and includes workshops that focus on spreading awareness on labour rights.
“The authority [SLSDA] is making every effort this year to recognise and raise awareness of the efforts made by some of the hardest workers here in Sharjah.
“One of the highlights of the awareness programme is the screening of an inspiring life story of a businessman who honours a number of labourers, in recognition of their dedication and work,” he said.
The SLSDA was established in 2014, by an Emiri decree issued by His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and was entrusted with ensuring the well-being of all labourers in the emirate.