Sujay Nair, executive director of Penta Global. (Image source: Penta Global)
Penta Global, a leading player in the energy and construction sectors based in Abu Dhabi, is taking a pioneering stance on the mental health and well-being of blue-collar workers, an area that has long been overlooked in the industry.
Under the stewardship of executive director Sujay Nair, the company has made decisive moves to place people at the heart of its operations, urging the broader sector to move beyond compliance into genuine care for workforce welfare.
Traditionally, the focus within construction has been on health, safety, and environmental compliance, which are essentials for industry accreditation and operational soundness.
However, as Nair notes, there is still a considerable gap when it comes to mental well-being.
Sparked by thought leadership at a British Safety Council event, Nair and his team recognised this imbalance and responded by commissioning a comprehensive report on mental health in the construction sector, particularly concerning blue-collar workers.
The research process was revealing. Penta Global discovered significant data concerning the mental health of workers in the UAE, which were mostly collected via major firms and government-driven initiatives.
Over the past three years, the UAE government has enacted policies specifically focused on mental health, providing a strong foundation, but there remains much to build upon.
To bring attention to their findings and to inspire collaborative industry action, Penta Global hosted a roundtable during ADIPEC this year.
The session brought together stakeholders from leading organisations, government entities, and multinational firms.
Surprisingly, it emerged that while individual companies were implementing well-being programmes, there was little cross-industry communication or centralisation of best practices.
“We haven’t got that communication to have a centralised kind of policy which addresses these issues,” Nair observed, underscoring the need for a coordinated approach.
A collaborative approach
Beyond research and dialogue, Penta Global brought creativity to advocacy through their event booth, which featured a punching bag competition.
For every punch, the company pledged a donation to a local mental health initiative, blending fun physical activity with vital fundraising and awareness.
This approach speaks to the company’s ethos of focusing not only on compliance but also on positive engagement and long-term change.
Physical activity, notes Nair, is well-proven to enhance mental well-being, and this tie-in made the abstract more accessible and actionable.
The challenges are multifaceted. There are deeply rooted stigmas, language barriers, and fears of job security that deter workers from voicing concerns.
Nair stresses the need for education and open conversations, suggesting that integrating mental health into routine “toolbox talks” could be one practical step forward.
“If we can come together as an industry,” Nair asserts, “we can really drive meaningful change. And I think that’s the most important thing that came out [from the roundtable discussion].”
Looking ahead, Penta Global plans to share the outcomes of their roundtable widely and continue engaging with both industry leaders and social enterprises.
The goal is to drive policy toward preventative approaches rather than reactive ones, making mental health a shared responsibility.
By leading these efforts, Penta Global not only enhances its own culture but also sets a precedent for the entire sector to follow.
