Midday break rule in UAE begins on June 15

Companies flouting rule will be fined Dh15,000

Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri and Mahir Al Obaid announcing the commencement of the midday break rule from June 15 during a Press conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — KT photo by Nezar Balout

Companies that defy the summer midday break rule and force their employees to work under the scorching sun between 12:30pm and 3pm will face a fine of Dh15,000. If the act involves a large number of workers, they will be downgraded and the work stopped temporarily, the Ministry of Labour announced on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference to announce this year’s summer mid-day break rule, Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary at the ministry, said the regulation will be enforced from June 15 to September 15.

“Employers will be fined Dh15,000 if found forcing labourers to work under direct sunlight, regardless of the nature of the work. If a large number of workers is involved, the inspections department will forward the company’s profile to the minister’s office. He might consider temporally stopping the entity plus downgrading it,” Al Dhaheri explained.

The summer mid-day break rule enters into its 10th year this year, indicating the ministry’s commitment to labourers’ rights and ensuring a safe environment for them. “This is considered one of the most prominent and important initiatives to protect workers from health problems that could rise due to working under the sun directly,” he said.

The rule has triggered other initiatives by several government and private institutions in partnership with the Ministry of Labour. They include conducting free medical examinations for workers and giving them advice to protect them from dangers.

In some cases the mid-day work break rule may be waived but companies need to get special permission from the ministry.

For instance, when the work involves asphalt or concrete and has to be completed speedily, emergency measures and repairs, disconnecting essential lines such as water supply, sewerage and electricity, or blocking public roads, the restriction can be waived.

“There might be projects that require continuation of work during these hours for technical reason,” Al Dhaheri said. “But employers are obliged to provide cold drinking water, safety tools, salt, lemon, fresh salads and all other necessities approved by the health authorities. Employers are also required to provide first-aid kits, appropriate cooling systems and protective umbrellas.

Mahir Al Obaid, Assistant Undersecretary for inspection affairs at the ministry, said 18 teams of specialised inspectors will visit work sites during these hours to ensure all companies are abiding by the regulation.

“There will be around 80,000 visits during the mid-day break period for the next three months,” Al Obaid said. “Of them, 60,000 visits will be inspectional and 20,000 for the awareness campaign.” The inspectors will record what they found during their visits, including taking photographs.

If a company is found flouting the rule, the collected evidence will be sent to the Special Investigation Department.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE