4 violations recorded for breaching midday break rule in UAE

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4 violations recorded for breaching midday break rule in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Out of the 40 reports against companies, the ministry verified that four violations were genuine.

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A Staff Reporter

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Published: Thu 20 Sep 2018, 6:01 PM

Four violations of midday break rule have been detected this year by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Fines would be imposed on errant companies found to have breached the regulation which bans work in open areas between June 15 and September 15 every year from 12.30pm to 3pm.
Maher Al Obad, assistant undersecretary of the MoHRE for Inspection Affairs, said the ministry received 40 reports against companies that forced their workers to carry out work under the sun during the restricted hours. Out of the 40 reports, the ministry verified that four violations were genuine.
Al Obad said 22 reports were filed through the ministry's call centre, while 14 were lodged by the operators of Taqyeem service and four received by the ministry's customer happiness centre.
He said the inspection teams of the ministry examined the complaints and submitted their reports to the panel concerned, which approved only four complaints as genuine after it found that the companies booked had committed blatant violations against the rule, which invites punitive action against such establishments.
"The results of the midday break rule, implemented by the ministry for the 14th consecutive year, has proved that the private sector and the society at large are well aware of the decision that bans work in the open during summer," Al Obad pointed out.
The rule, he said, aimed to provide workers with more secure and safer work environment to maintain workers' safety and avoid their exposure to direct sunlight and scorching heat during the noon time in summers when temperature shoots up.
Fines against companies
Companies found to be violating the rule are fined Dh5,000 per worker with a maximum of Dh50,000 penalty.
Besides, the company's registration with the ministry is suspended. Its ranking in the classification system of the ministry is also lowered. The penalty is based on how serious the violation was.
Al Obad said the four violations have been documented by the inspection team. To exercise transparency and neutrality, the inspectors photographed the violations and registered them in the ministry's smart inspection system.
As per the rule, the ministry makes it mandatory for employers to provide their workers with protection means in order to safeguard them from work-related injury or diseases that may occur during the course of the job. These include fires and other hazards that may happen due to use of machines and equipment at worksites.
According to the rule, employers are required to provide shaded areas for the workers during their break period.


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