Night - Only work shifts seen as a humane step

ABU DHABI — Since the call for a night-shift for outdoor workers began, your favourite No.1 newspaper Khaleej Times has spoken to various medical experts, labourers, engineers and the general public. While the public response to this call is positive, and more and more people see this as a humane step, some suggested that extra care should be taken to avoid problems that could be associated with the proposal such as noise pollution etc.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Thu 18 May 2006, 11:21 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 7:42 PM

When Khaleej Times asked some residents about the call for the night shift for outdoor workers, they welcomed the initiative. “Definitely nobody wants to work in the heat, and everyone can identify with the workers,” says Sandhya, an Abu Dhabi resident.

She added: “But there needs to be adequate lighting for work efficiency and safety.”

She also pointed out that the night shift solution can evoke the ire of the people if it is adopted in residential areas." She suggested that the all-night shift be introduced only on construction sites in industrial areas and in highway construction. This was echoed by a 35 year old IT professional. "In residential areas there could be a system where they work only till 10 p.m. or maximum till 11", she says.

Many were in favour of the split shift shedule in residential areas. 19 year old Ayesha being one of them. "They can work from 5 to 10 in the morning and 6 to 9 in the evening, from May till Mid october. That's eight hours."

25 year old Mandeep welcomed the move saying it was great for the workers but he expressed concern over the increased likelihood of accidents due to vision problems at night. He said the construction companies must ensure proper lighting and reflective or fluorescent clothing for the workers to combat the problems relating to the vision.

"Adopting the night shift scheme in residential areas would be unfair to the residents", says Annie, although she agreed that the night shift would greatly benefit the workers and alleviate health problems. "So often in the papers I read letters sent by harrowed residents who are disturbed by the noise of the construction sites next to their houses. I think construction work should only be till 9", she explained.

Another advocate of the split shift timing suggested that work commence from 6 in the morning till 11 in the morning and then from four in the evening till 7 or 8.

As 20 year old Christy, the split shift schedule does not interfere with the biological clocks of the workers. "So many IT professionals work till 8 and nine in the evening. News boys wake up early in the morning at 4 and 5 to work." She felt that splitting their work timings from 5 to 10 in the morning and then from 5 to 7 is a smart idea as it does not affect the workers or the residents adversely.