Only continuous construction work is permitted during the summer heat
Construction workers in the UAE will down tools at 12.30pm from the 15 June, the Ministry of Labour has confirmed.
Summer working hours are now common-place across the GCC states where temperatures regularly peak close to 50 degrees during June, July and August.
Workers will be banned from working outside between 12.30pm-3.00pm between 15 June to 15 September, with companies found to be breaking the regulation fined 15,000 dirham ($4,000).
Minister of labour, Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, said this year’ s regulations also stipulate that workers should be provided adequate rest areas away from the midday heat. Cooling and umbrella shading is require and water, salt and lemons should also be made available.
In instances where continuous construction is unavoidable such as cement pouring, the ministry said: ” the employer is obliged to provide cold drinking water in proportion to the number of employees, as well as to observe rules of safety and public health.”
The MoL stated that workers are not allowed to work more than eight hours per day unless they are compensated with overtime payments. It has also urged companies to place the stipulation in Arabic and other languages to ensure workers understand their rights.
Rules on midday working were first introduced in 2005 however there has been criticism that some companies have continued to insist on working through the summer heat, preferring to take the risk of fines.
However the MoL’s increase of the minimum fine from 10,000 to 15,000 and promises of regular site inspections suggest that it is willing to increase pressure on firms to comply with the rules.