UAE set to issue mid-day work ban

The UAE is set to issue a decision banning work at open construction sites during mid day in summer for the eighth consecutive year and authorities said they expect employers to comply with the rule. The Ministry of Labour said the ban would be between 12.30-3.00 pm and start as usual from mid June to mid September to protect workers and avert job accidents and illnesses, including heat strike. In a statement carried by the Sharjah-based Arabic language daily Alkhaleej, the Ministry said its inspectors would hold workshops before and during the ban period to create awareness about the ban and would also make regular visits to ensure compliance by both the employers and workers. It said all employers must put up boards in Arabic and other languages about the banned hours while in case of daily exemptions, employers must ensure there is enough cold water for all workers. The Ministry warned that violators of the rule would again be severely punished, including payment of fines and suspension of new work visas. Most of the nearly 400,000 construction workers in the UAE are Asians, mainly from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The UAE began enforcing the mid-day summer work ban in 2005 following a spate of site accidents and illnesses caused by high temperatures, which could reach 50 Celsius.