On 17th December, integrated facilities management firm, EFS Facilities Services Group (EFS), staged the eighth edition of its employee carnival at Zabeel Park Gate Five, Dubai, in the presence of multiple guests, including Sheikh Salim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Indian Consul in the UAE Dr. Aman Puri, Dr. Rob Cooling, Health & Safety Operations at Expo2020, Dr. Ayesha Al Mansouri together with Jamal Ali Ahmed Khater from Emirates Foundation, Dr. Kakul Agha from Skyline University College and many other notable guests from around the U.A.E.
This year, the EFS carnival also took on a global dimension, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the group’s teams across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
At the heart of the carnival celebrations was the group’s stellar blue-collar workforce – the frontliners and unsung heroes that play an instrumental role in keeping businesses operating and employees safe.
Hosted by the group’s management team, the special event honored EFS’ 5,000-plus blue-collar employees who work in vital roles as technicians, housekeeping staff, and security personnel. Combined, the formidable workforce comprises 35 diverse nationalities.
The event kicked off with a showstopping parade and welcome speeches from EFS Group CEO, Tariq Chauhan, and the Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr Aman Puri. Taking to the stage, Chauhan spoke with emotion about what it meant to be able to host the group’s eighth carnival.
“This is a day we dedicate in the honor of our blue-collar colleagues, where the management and executives salute our workers for their hard work and dedication and host this day full of compassion and passion,” said the CEO. “Carnival is indeed a platform for elevating their self-actualization and wellbeing for them and their families.”
During the day of celebrations, key themes from COP 26 were acknowledged at the EFS ‘Sustainability Corner’, where attendees were encouraged to plant flowers and make sustainability pledges to support the greener future of the community.
Touching upon EFS’ commitment to and appreciation for employee self-actualization, the carnival also focused on recognizing its homegrown pool of talented entertainers, dancers, singers, DJs, artists, chefs, and athletes.
Throughout the event, the appreciation continued. In particular, EFS honored individuals and their families through the company’s Compassionate Awards.
The awards recognized members from all walks of life, highlighting issues such as old age, children’s education, special needs, family reunions, or the struggles facing young mothers away from home.
Other awards were handed out too, as EFS acknowledged employees who had contributed to the company through their innovation efforts, as well as employees actively engaged with CSR efforts back in their home countries.
By the end of the celebrations, prize giveaways totaling more than AED 250,000 had been handed out to valued colleagues from across the EFS family.
The carnival concluded three months of activities celebrating diversity, inclusion, and compassion: the core values at EFS. The lead up to the main event included several weeks of painstaking preparations as well as pre-carnival fun including painting and cooking competitions, and a wheel of fortune, with live broadcasts for the staff to enjoy.
The EFS carnival is an organically curated event, and with the support of teams and capabilities from across the group, the event gets bigger and better each year.
Source: Forbes Middle East