Construction

Midday break: ‘No Dubai companies flouting law’

By Jerusha Sequeira

Posted on July 29, 2015

Nearly 10,000 surprise inspections were conducted on establishments in Deira and Bur Dubai between June 16 and July 23

PHOTO: Companies breaking the midday break rule will be fined AED5,000 per worker, and up to AED50,000 if the issue involves a number of workers. Credit: Shutterstock

No Dubai-based establishments have been found in violation of the midday-break rule which prevents labourers working outside during peak summer hours, it was reported.

The midday break rule is enforced from June 15 to September 15, and stipulates that companies give workers a break from working outdoors between 12.30pm and 3pm.

According to the Permanent Committee for Labourers Affairs (PCLA), nearly 10,000 inspections were conducted on establishments in Deira and Bur Dubai between June 16 and July 23, Gulf News reported. The surprise inspections are carried out on a daily basis.

“All the establishments in Dubai were found to comply with the midday break rule,” said Maj Gen Obaid Muhair Bin Surour, deputy director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai and PCLA chairman, quoted in Gulf News.

Earlier in July, the Ministry of Labour had reported that an estimated 99.88% of companies were found to be complying with the midday break rule from June 15-30 across the UAE. Only 11 firms, or 0.12%, were found to be in violation.

Companies flouting the rule will be fined AED5,000 per employee found working during the break, and up to AED50,000 if the issue involves a number of workers. Authorities may also consider temporarily suspending a firm in case of a breach. The ruling also requires employers to post a clear schedule of daily working hours during the summer months, and provide shelter for labourers during rest hours.