Pameela Krishnan has been recognized for her exemplary work as a hospital cleaner in Abu Dhabi. SUPPLIED

An Indian expatriate who works as a hospital cleaner in Abu Dhabi has been awarded Dh100,000 in the first Emirates Labour Market Award. Pameela Krishnan was recognized for her exemplary work as a hospital cleaner and topped the Distinguished Workforce – Other Professional Levels category of the prestigious award by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Krishnan shared that receiving the award left her “happy and shocked” at the same time. The 51-year-old expat received her token cheque at the special awards ceremony on November 23. She was also awarded a life insurance policy, a shopping card, a gold coin, the Fazaa discount card, as well as a two-night stay at a five-star hotel. She has no plans of quitting her job at Canadian Medical Centre (CMC) after her windfall. She is thankful to her colleagues who nominated her and paved the way for her to be recognized in the inaugural awards. Krishnan, who hails from Kerala in India, has worked at the hospital in the last 13 years. Her colleagues have described her as extremely dedicated and hard working, while never failing to smile and “giving her 100 percent” in the job. In a media interview, Krishnan said she will use the money she won to pay off loans that she took to fund the weddings of her son and daughter. She also plans to set aside some money as savings. Before coming to the UAE, Krishnan worked for as a helper in a massage centre that paid her Dh20 per month. With the help of her brother, she was able to fly to Abu Dhabi and find work in CMC. Her job has allowed her to send her two children to college, as well as build a house in Kerala. She has been the family’s bread winner after her husband died seven years ago. ICA/Expat Media
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