DUBAI, April 2: This Eid Al Fitr was a truly special one for Rubel Ahmed Samsad Ali, a 24-year-old painter at Globe Building Contracting LLC, who won a brand-new car during an event honoring the contributions of workers across the UAE.

Overjoyed when his name was announced, Rubel rushed to hug the officials on stage, overwhelmed by his luck. Having lived in the UAE for three years, he now plans to sell the white Nissan Sunny he won in the Eid draw, which took place on the second day of the holiday. "I want to build a house and send some money to my mother," said Rubel, a Bangladeshi expat from Sunamganj town in Sylhet division. His family back home, especially his mother, was equally thrilled to hear the news.

Despite earning a fixed salary of Dh800, Rubel increases his income to Dh1,500 through overtime. Residing in Jebel Ali, he intends to continue working with the same company even after his big win. To celebrate, he treated his roommates, spending around Dh200 on his friends as a small gesture of gratitude.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), in collaboration with federal and local government partners, organized a series of Eid Al Fitr celebrations across 10 locations in the UAE. These events featured sports, entertainment, competitions, and giveaways, including e-scooters, mobile phones, and airline tickets, reports Khaleej Times.

More than 100,000 workers were honored for their invaluable contributions to the nation's development. The celebrations, held from 12 PM to 6 PM on the first and second days of Eid, included gift distributions at various sites, such as Musaffah and Al Mafraq (Abu Dhabi), Jebel Ali (Dubai), Al Sajaa (Sharjah), Al Jurf (Ajman), Umm Al Quwain, RAKIZ (Ras Al Khaimah), Al Hail Industrial (Fujairah), and the Dulsco Labour Village.

Officials from MOHRE and its partners also joined workers for Eid prayers, exchanging greetings and reinforcing their commitment to improving workers' well-being, happiness, and quality of life.

Rubel’s unexpected win became one of the highlights of the event, symbolizing the UAE's appreciation for its workers, whose dedication plays a vital role in shaping the nation’s progress.