DUBAI, Dec 17: In Abu Dhabi, a Filipina expatriate employed as a cleaning assistant at a private company, Emirates Business Group (EBG), recently secured the top honor in the inaugural Emirates Labour Market Award. Maria Isabel Lacierda, 44, was recognized not just for her exemplary work ethic but also acclaimed as a "beacon of success." Expressing her gratitude, Lacierda credited her company for the nomination and the opportunity to showcase her "dedication and passion at work."

Lacierda, affectionately known as Isabel among her colleagues, shared her joy, stating that working in the UAE had once been a mere dream for her, and now she is living and cherishing every moment of it. She received Dh100,000 and additional benefits for leading in the workforce category. She humbly dedicated the award to her boss, managers, supervisors, colleagues, and the entire EBG personnel, considering them her second family in the UAE.

Beyond her steadfast commitment to work—being the first to arrive and the last to leave, according to her boss—Lacierda gained admiration for her ingenuity in recycling, transforming discarded materials into functional works of art, and earning accolades from both her superiors and colleagues at EBG. She said she has no plans of retiring any time soon and will continue to work in the UAE. She is also planning to bring her son to the country to work here.