An agreement to accurately measure the quality of life of workers in Abu Dhabi was signed between the Department of Community Development (DCD) and Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi (SCAD).
The aim of the cooperation is to activate the role of DCD and SCAD within a set of future programs and initiatives that will help them to amplify their contributions to society, a statement issued by the DCD said.
The DCD was established in 2018 to oversee, empower and regulate the social and community development sector in Abu Dhabi and provide services that are of quality, effective and accessible to everyone.
The agreement was signed by Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Under-Secretary of DCD, and Ahmed Mahmoud Fikri, Director-General of SCAD, in the presence of other officials from both entities.
Al Dhaheri said the agreement will ensure the needs of policymakers and decision-makers are met in terms of supporting workers in labor camps in Abu Dhabi.
“This requires volunteers from the Statistics Centre to be trained, supported and guided during their fieldwork by DCD, so these volunteers comply with the rules at every step,” he said.
UAE is home to one of the largest expat populations in the world. About 88 percent of the country’s population is constituted by expatriates, most of them from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh and Iran.
Al Dhaheri added since workers constitute one of the most important groups in driving the development process in Abu Dhabi, it was imperative that they received adequate attention, and all their needs are met on a priority basis.
“This will be possible through the collection of accurate statistics and data that will effectively support decision-making centers related to improving work environments and raising the quality of life for workers,” he said.
Fikri said the agreement is in line with SCAD’s strategy to enhance and support a sustainable, comprehensive statistical system in Abu Dhabi that provides reliable accurate data to the policymakers, decision-makers and the business community.
The Centre backs the program with a sampling design that represents all groups of workers, the development of statistical tools, data collection and analysis according to the international standards and best practices, Fikri said.