A total of 18 teams will monitor for violations of the UAE summer midday break, which prohibits most work under direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, officials said.
The three-month rule is set to come into force on June 15 and last until September 15, and apply to work between 12.30pm and 3pm.
Maher Al Obed, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspectional Affairs, said 18 teams from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will monitor the level of compliance, according to the UAE state news agency WAM.
“Three teams are formed in Abu Dhabi, two in Al Ain, four teams in Dubai, two in Sharjah, two in Ajman, two teams in Ras Al Khaimah, two in Fujairah and one team in Umm Al Quwain,” he said.
Around 20,000 awareness visits will be made, starting on May 26, along with 60,000 inspections, taking the total number up to 80,000.
“Ministry inspectors will for the first time, deal with the smart inspections system, a new mechanism that would make it easier in terms of monitoring and documenting such violations,” Al Obed said.
It is the 12th consecutive year that the midday break rule has been in force. Working hours must be divided into morning and evening shifts, each of eight hours daily. If labourers face overtime, then they must be compensated according to the laws, WAM said.
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.
For exceptional cases that require the continuation of work for technical reasons, Humaid bin Deemas, Labour Affairs Assistant Undersecretary, launched a decree stating that employers must supply workers with salt and lemon, which is approved for use by health authorities in the country. Employers must provide all facilities that cater to the health of workers, including first aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water.
Works excluded from the ban include work on mix asphalt poured concretes if it is impossible to implement or supplement the necessary work in one day, or 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.