A Filipina cleaner recognised as an outstanding UAE worker plans to use her prize money to rebuild her parents' wooden house after it was damaged by floods in Mindanao, southern Philippines.
Norhana Mohammad Omar, 63, was among 84 winning individuals and organisations at the second Emirates Labour Market Award ceremony at Abu Dhabi's Adnec Centre on Thursday. She has worked for the same Emirati family in Khor Fakkan for more than 25 years.
“I feel so many emotions – happiness, gratitude, even a bit of sadness,” she told The National. “This family has been wonderful to me, like my own, and I’m grateful for every day that I come to work for them.”
Ms Omar was among 7,700 nominees. She was nominated by the family she has served for a quarter of a century, sending money home to her loved ones.
“I didn’t marry because I was responsible for providing for my parents and raising my five brothers,” she said. “I even covered their wedding expenses. I’ll use this award to rebuild my parents’ house.”
Rising interest
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Martyrs' Affairs, and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, presented the prizes, worth a total of Dh37 million, across a range of categories.
The awards ceremony celebrates exceptional contributions to the UAE’s labour market, and focuses on encouraging innovation, responsibility and high standards in workforce development and well-being. It was launched last year to foster a competitive, forward-thinking workforce. It recognises companies and individuals across five main categories, including exceptional establishments, outstanding workforce, labour accommodation and business service partners.
“The number of nominations marks a 120 per cent increase from the first edition,” said Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation. “This increase reflects the depth of social responsibility within the private sector and its commitment to nurturing a skilled, enabling and safe work environment.”
In the establishments category, leading names such as Sharjah Co-operative Society, Damac, Talabat, Brighton College Dubai, and LLH Hospital received awards for their outstanding practices in human resources, employee engagement and skills development. Among those honoured in the labour accommodation category were Al Eskan Al Jamae LLC and Labotel, which provide high-quality housing for more than 10,000 workers, including wellness initiatives and sustainable living environments. Individual winners included doctors, teachers, engineers and domestic workers.
What next for the winners?
Sulin Hasan, 44, from Indonesia, was also recognised in the outstanding workforce category. She is employed by an Emirati family in Dubai.
“My employer treats me as part of the family, and it’s that warmth and respect that encourages me to stay,” she said. “I plan to use this prize money to build a home for my son and daughter back in Indonesia.” She said she will visit her family on a two-month holiday starting in December, before returning to work with her Emirati employers.
Another winner, Ebaya Yahya, 36, from Mauritania, works as a camel caretaker. He has lived in the UAE for 20 years. “I feel so happy and grateful that my hard work has been recognised,” he said.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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RACECARD
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
