Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Abela & Co ensures to operate while considering the impact on our environment, community, people, workplace, and shareholders.

Contributing to the betterment of the community in which Abela & Co operates is ingrained in the very essence of the Company’s culture and core values. The pillars of our sustainability program are built upon a profound recognition of the influence our business exerts on society and the environment, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the following principles:
  • Long-term well-being of the society
  • Protection of the Environment
  • Well-being of our employees and customers
  • Continuing the success of our own business

Since 2007, our commitment to serving the community has grown stronger, and our dedicated employees have actively engaged in a myriad of initiatives aligned with our CSR programs. Collaborating with esteemed organizations like Emirates Environmental Group and Dubai Municipality, our management team, and employees have enthusiastically participated in campaigns aimed at fostering a greener and healthier future for all. Moreover, as part of our unwavering dedication to community economic development, we have forged meaningful partnerships with organizations like Beit Al Khair Society and Dubai Centre for Special Needs, channeling our CSR efforts towards uplifting the less privileged and fostering positive change in their lives. Together, we pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow.

In both 2012 and 2016, Abela & Co was honored with the esteemed CSR Label Award presented by the Dubai Chamber, a testament to our unwavering dedication to uplifting our communities, fostering a thriving workplace, enriching the marketplace, and preserving our precious environment.

As a frontrunner in our industry, we strongly believe in our responsibility to advocate for education, be it in the realms of general literacy or promoting health and nutrition awareness.

To spread awareness and knowledge, we have organized various engaging events, such as interactive live-cooking classes, and informative educational lectures covering essential topics like nutrition, food safety, and hygiene. These initiatives exemplify our enduring commitment to making a positive impact on society and empowering individuals to lead healthier and more informed lives.

Workplace

Our commitment to the welfare of our employees translate is reflected in an engaged workforce (with an engagement rate of 89% in 2015) who enjoy working for us and have fun at work. Some of our activities included:

  • We are audited by SEDEX for ethical workplace practices
  • We have an Internal Workers’ welfare management committee
  • We have an Internal welfare management plan for employees
  • We organize yearly employee engagement festivals for all staff members
  • We encourage a work-life balance and conduct regular staff outings
  • We have a sports council and encourage staff to participate in different sports activities
  • We organize health screening campaigns for staff members
  • We conduct kids at work & kids’ days programs
  • We promote awareness and cooperation through safety campaigns and CSR day for our staff

Environment

Our commitment to the environment is demonstrated through our operation, which promotes energy and materials conservation, as well as waste reduction. Some of our activities included the following and our new central processing unit is certified additionally against ISO 14001:2015 requirements:
  • Sustainable Procurement:
  • Whenever feasible, we procure local products that are subject to market seasonal availability.
  • We look at contracting products with less packaging.
  • Whenever feasible, we look at utilizing disposable material made from eco-friendly renewable resources, such as paper bags and recyclable disposables.
  • We support a locally developed project by providing it with our used cooking oil to convert into Biodiesel.
  • We participate in the Emirates Environmental Group’s various recycling programs and campaigns. All mobile phones, papers, cardboard, cans, and plastics generated from our operations are collected and sent to recycling plants.
  • We encourage our internal “Green” teams to champion and lead the internal energy and material conservation programs, hence conducting campaigns that continuously involve our workforce.
  • Imperfect food and the ‘Grow Your Own Food’ program are designed to create awareness regarding the consumption of perfectly safe imperfect food.

Marketplace

Our commitment is to partner with our clients and suppliers, to have mutually beneficial relations that contribute positively to both our success:
  • We share our knowledge and expertise in food safety and nutrition with our clients to contribute positively to their nutrition habits and health.
  • We also strive to promote a “Live Healthy” approach in our society by conducting food safety and nutrition seminars, as well as health screening campaigns for our clients.
  • We continuously develop healthy menus and products.
  • We value long-term partnerships with both suppliers and clients.

Community

Our commitment to give back to the community in which we live and work, is demonstrated through our active participation and volunteering in community service activities, which form an integral part of our daily work life:
  • We support many local non-profit organizations through volunteering and sponsorships, such as
  • Red Crescent: We collaborate by collecting food items to be distributed to victims of the Syria and Turkey earthquake.
  • Dubai Center for Special Needs: We provide all the necessary requirements for their summer celebrations event, organize Tuk shop workshops, and our culinary teams visit to conduct fun cooking sessions for the students.
  • Beit Al Khair Society: Cakes are sold and all the amount collected will be donated to the society to help the needy.
  • Emirates Down Syndrome Association: Supported the organization in developing an in-house kitchen and conducted culinary sessions for the students
  • The Rashid Pediatric Center:
  • Al Shawab Elderly Home: We celebrating special occasions with the elderly at Al Shawab Centre in Mamzar.
  • We support many events to encourage our employees to help society by participating in events such as:
  • Beat Diabetes Walk: Abela & Co participated in the “Beat Diabetes Walk” organized by the Landmark Group, which was held at Zabeel Park, Dubai. Thousands of people from all walks of life and top companies participated to support Diabetes awareness through this joint social activity. As a company that places a great emphasis on corporate social responsibility, Abela & Co actively participates in various noteworthy/ prominent causes emphasizing the significance of healthy eating and living a lifestyle.
  • Walk for Autism
  • Terry Fox Run
  • Breast Cancer Walk
  • We organize events to bring a smile to the faces of members of our society who are less fortunate, such as supporting children with special needs and the elderly.
  • We engage in providing work placement for people with special needs.