The ‘Noon Work Ban’ will be enforced by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) starting mid-June. It prohibits workers from staying at their jobsites from 12:30pm to 3pm.
According to a report by WAM, the annual decision was issued by Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and makes it mandatory for employers to provide labourers with a shaded place to rest during their breaks.
Daily working hours for morning, evening or both shifts, are not to exceed eight hours as per the decision. If a worker exceeds these timings within 24 hours, then the extra time will be deemed overtime, for which he will have to be paid, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Law concerning the Regulation of Labour Relations, the report said.
The decision excludes certain technical jobs from the ban however, where work must continue non-stop. In these cases, employers must provide cool drinking water in proportion with the number of workers and in accordance with the requirements of public safety and health. Additionally, thirst-quenching items such as salts, lemon etc. along with first-aid kits must be provided. The order also calls for strict adherence to COVID-19 precautionary measures on job sites.
As per the report, establishments that do not comply with the terms and conditions of the decision shall be fined $1,360 per worker, and a maximum of $13,600 in case several workers are employed during the ban. The establishment will also have its file suspended or its status downgraded in the MoHRE classification system based on the severity of the breach.
As per the decision, employers must place a schedule of the daily working hours in a prominent site at the workplace. In addition to Arabic, the work schedule must be written in the language, which workers understand, the report noted.