Some work types to be excluded from midday ban

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has excluded certain categories from the midday work ban, which is applicable this year between June 15 and September 15 from 12.30pm to 3pm.

Saif Ahmed Al Suwaidi, undersecretary of human resources affairs at the ministry, said the excluded categories include works to prevent danger, reparation, damage, malfunction or loss; and emergency work, including cutting lines, water supply, sewerage, electricity, cutting off traffic or blocking public roads and fixing broken gas pipelines or petroleum flow hindrances.

For these cases, which require work to be carried out during the break periods for technical reasons, employers must supply workers with salts and lemon that have been approved for use by health authorities in the country. Employers must provide all facilities that cater to the health of workers, including first-aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water.

The ministry also requires employers to post a clear schedule to inform workers about the daily working hours during the midday break period, in addition to providing them with shelter during the resting periods.

Violators will be fined Dh5,000 per worker found working during the break hours, to a maximum of Dh50,000 if the case involves a large number of workers.
The company could also be downgraded and violators run the risk of being temporally closed down.

What is the midday work ban?

Companies operating in the UAE are required to give a two-and-a-half hour break from 12.30pm to 3pm to labourers who work in open areas. The three-month midday break is enforced from June 15 to September 15. Employers are required to provide shaded areas for the workers during their break period.

Source: Khaleej Times