Dubai Municipality has opened three worker community markets across Muhaisnah 2, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3 and Al Quoz 4, with a fourth site in Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1 due to follow in the coming months. The authority announced completion of the first three on 19 August 2026.
The three operational markets span more than 69,000 square metres in total and contain 866 kiosks and stalls, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). Each market offers eight categories of service: food kiosks, fruit and vegetable outlets, meat and fish shops, barber shops, tailoring services, sports facilities, health awareness spaces and areas for community events.
Workers community markets: who benefits and what is on offer
The Dubai Municipality integrated community markets are positioned close to workers’ accommodation in industrial and labour-intensive districts, giving residents on-site access to daily goods and services without travelling far from where they live.
Since opening, the three markets have served more than 640,000 workers and recorded a 99 per cent satisfaction rate, the municipality said. More than 69 community events have been held at the sites, drawing over 800,000 attendances.
The municipality also ran 16 awareness workshops at the markets covering health and safety, food safety, first aid, public health and emergency preparedness. More than 16,500 workers attended those sessions.
Work to activate the sites began before the formal completion announcement. Dubai Media Office reported in March 2025 that Dubai Municipality, working with the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai, was already organising recreational activities and community events at the Al Quoz and Muhaisnah 2 locations for the Eid Al Fitr holiday period.
Private sector runs operations; British Safety Council recognised the scheme
Dubai Municipality is working with private sector partners to operate and manage the markets, with compliance required on health, safety and sustainability standards. The authority said the model is scalable and could support similar facilities elsewhere in Dubai and across the UAE.
The project received the British Safety Council Award in Category A. The municipality has separately built a broader record of occupational health and safety recognition: its 2024 awards tally reached 62, including first place in the British Safety Council’s Global Safety Award for excellence in occupational health and safety management.
Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafie, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the markets reflect the authority’s approach to worker welfare infrastructure. ‘The development of integrated community markets for workers reflects Dubai Municipality’s commitment to providing safe, healthy and accessible environments that enhance quality of life and wellbeing. These projects have been developed in line with planning and organisational standards that support convenient access to essential services, efficient infrastructure and sustainable [facilities],’ Dr Rafie said.
The Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1 site, the fourth and final market in the current programme, is expected to open in the coming months. No specific opening date has been confirmed.
