UAE is known for luxury, opulence, and its magnificent skyline; however, the Gulf country is equally known for its summer and tormentous heat. While people working in offices and indoor spaces don’t deal much with the heat during the day, however, it’s the outdoor workers that struggle working during the summer. And to ensure the safety of outdoor workers, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced a ban on working in open spaces and under direct sunlight from 12:30 PM to 3 PM from 15th June to 15th September 2023. Read on to know more.
Working Hours Shouldn’t Exceed Eight Hours During The Ban
The midday break is in line with Ministerial Resolution No. (44) of 2022 on Occupational Health and Safety and Labour Accommodation. This resolution aims to provide a favourable work environment to the workers and prevent them from occupational menaces and work-related injuries or ailments. As per the authorities, daily working hours in the morning and evening shifts should not exceed eight hours during the ban.
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As per the reports in Emirates News agency, WAM, if an employee works for more than eight hours, the additional work hours will be considered overtime, and the company will have to pay the employee an additional pay for extra hours according to the Regulation of Employment Relationship Law. Besides this, Employers should make the necessary arrangement and provide employees with a shaded area to rest during the midday break.
In a statement carried by WAM, Mohsen Al Nassi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said, “The health and safety of workers is the cornerstone of labour market legislation, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is committed to creating the necessary conditions to ensure a safe work environment for them.The midday work break, which is being implemented for the 19th year in a row, is in line with the highest professional and humane standards designed to protect workers from potential risk of injury resulting from high temperatures during the summer, especially at noon.”
The Rule Came Into Place In 2004 And Those Violating It Are Subjected To AED5,000 Fine
The decision to implement midway work came into place in 2004, and the ministry ensures that employers follow this rule every year. However, some jobs require work to continue uninterrupted and are exempted from implementing the midday work ban. Jobs like laying asphalt or pouring concrete and repair damages that affect the community, such as interruptions to water supply or electricity, cutting off traffic, and other issues, are on the exempt list.
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When it comes to exempted jobs, the employer should ensure that they provide the workers with sufficient cold drinking water throughout the day and there’s no compromise on their health and safety. Furthermore, they must provide first aid at the work site, adequate industrial cooling, umbrellas that protect from direct sunlight, and shaded areas for workers to rest during their downtime.
Employers violating the rules are subjected to AED5,000 for each worker and up to a maximum penalty of AED50,000. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation ensures that all the rules are followed, and they receive reports from community members about violations through its call centre at 600590000, which answers calls 24/7 and in 20 languages. So if you come across any such violations- make sure that you inform the authorities.
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