Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has signed an agreement with Control Risks Middle East Limited to develop a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare, quality of life, and accommodation standards across labour accommodations in the economic zone.

This initiative reflects the economic zone’s commitment to fostering standards of safety, health and wellbeing within labour accommodations, while supporting employers in adopting leading practices that contribute to workforce satisfaction and sustainable business growth.

RAKEZ CFO Alida Helena Scholtz with Control Risks Global Head of Business and Human Rights, Dr James Sinclair during the agreement signing at RAKEZ HQ

The agreement was signed by RAKEZ CFO Alida Helena Scholtz and Control Risks Global Head of Business and Human Rights, Dr James Sinclair at RAKEZ headquarters.

As part of the partnership, Control Risks will work closely with RAKEZ’s Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) department to conduct a detailed assessment of labour accommodation practices, benchmark them against regional and international best practices, engage relevant stakeholders, and develop a structured framework that provides a long-term roadmap for improving accommodation standards and promoting continuous improvement.

RAKEZ team with representatives from Control Risks

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Responsible growth is built on creating an environment where businesses and the people behind them can thrive. This collaboration will help us establish a clear and consistent approach to worker wellbeing, strengthening the wider RAKEZ community and supporting sustainable progress across our ecosystem."

Control Risks Global Head of Business and Human Rights, Dr James Sinclair said, “We are pleased to partner with RAKEZ on this important initiative. Our role will be to translate recognised regional and international practices into a framework that is practical, measurable and suited to the economic zone’s business environment. By engaging relevant stakeholders and assessing current practices, we aim to provide clear guidance that supports meaningful and lasting improvements.”

Once completed, the framework will provide businesses with practical guidance for managing and continuously improving labour accommodation standards. It will also support the UAE’s broader efforts to enhance workers’ quality of life and promote responsible, sustainable labour accommodation practices.