ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates has maintained its leading position in global labour market competitiveness, as evidenced by its top rankings in several international indicators for 2024. These indicators highlight the UAE's progress in labour system development and its commitment to creating a favourable environment for workers. According to Emirates News Agency, data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's 'Labour Market Observatory' revealed that the UAE ranked first globally in four key indicators in the Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024. These indicators include employment rate, lack of labour disputes, low termination compensation costs, and workforce ratio. Additionally, the UAE ranked first in the Arab world in the Global Labour Resilience Index 2024, issued by the consultancy firm Whiteshield. Globally, it secured the second position in workforce growth and absence of bureaucracy, and third in the main labour market index and flexibility of residency laws. The report also noted that the UAE ranked fourth globally in five indicators, including the long-term unemployment rate index and the unit labour costs index. It achieved fifth place globally in categories such as Foreign Skilled Workers and Unemployment Legislation. In the realm of best cities to work, Dubai and Abu Dhabi were ranked third and fourth globally, respectively, according to the Global Talent Analysis by TotalJobs2024. The UAE's comprehensive system of social protection and workers' welfare is a significant factor in its high rankings. This system includes unemployment protection for 8.4 million employees and workers across both federal and private sectors, covering all nationalities and economic sectors. Furthermore, the workers' financial entitlements protection programme safeguards 98.8% of the private sector workforce. The UAE is set to expand its health insurance programme to ensure comprehensive coverage for all workers by 2025. Additionally, an optional "Savings System" i s being introduced to provide an alternative to the end-of-service bonus system. The UAE's Midday Break initiative, which prohibits outdoor work during the hottest part of the day from June 15 to September 15, has been a part of its labour regulations for 20 years. This year, the initiative saw the provision of 6,000 rest areas for delivery workers, supported by government agencies in coordination with delivery companies.