Construction

Midday break for UAE workers starts June 16

By Ben Flanagan

Posted on May 18, 2016

Strict curbs on construction work under direct sunlight apply from 12.30pm to 3pm daily until September 16

File photo - Shutterstock

The UAE’s three-month “midday break”, which curbs most construction work during the hottest times over summer, will start on June 16 this year, officials said on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said the break would apply from 12.30pm to 3pm daily until September 16, according to the UAE state news agency WAM.

Duty under direct sunlight is prohibited during these times, although there are some exceptions for specialised tasks.

Employers violating the rule will be fined AED5,000 ($1,361) per person found working during the break hours, up to a maximum of AED50,000 where a large number of workers is involved. Companies also face being downgraded or having their operations suspended.

This year marks the 12th consecutive year that the midday break has been in force, according to WAM.

Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said the midday break rule is designed to prevent work-related injuries, in line with international health and safety standards.

Working hours should be divided into morning and night shifts, with each lasting eight hours a day, Ghobash said. If labourers are asked to do overtime, they must be compensated according to UAE law.

The midday break ruling also requires employers to post a clear schedule informing workers of their daily working hours during the summer period, and provide shelter for them during the resting periods.

“Employers are urged to provide all necessary health kits to help workers exposed to hazards and dangerous tools, in addition to following safety instructions and distributing awareness leaflets to both employers and labourers to promote such awareness,” WAM noted.

In exceptional cases, work will be allowed to continue during the break times, but only for technical reasons. Humaid bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Labour Affairs, launched a decree stating that employers must supply workers with all the required facilities that cater to their health, including first aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water.

The exceptions to the rule were not specified. But in 2015, the tasks excluded from the midday ban included: Work on mix-asphalt poured concretes when it is impossible to implement or supplement the necessary work in one day; doing work to prevent expected danger, reparation, damage, malfunction or loss; and also emergency work, including cutting lines, water supply, sewerage, electricity and cutting off traffic or blocking public roads in addition to cut gas pipelines or petroleum flow.