UAE to apply outdoor midday work ban from June 15

TAG 91.1

2 days ago

The annual outdoor work ban between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. is expected to come into force on June 15 and end on September 15, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced.
For the 21st consecutive year, is part of a sustainable approach implemented by the UAE to provide a safe work environment that meets best practices and occupational health and safety requirements, thus protecting workers from injuries and damages that may result from working in high temperatures during the summer months.
His Excellency Mohsen Al Nasi, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection and Compliance Sector at the Ministry, said that the midday work ban has achieved a pioneering level of compliance, reaching more than 99 per cent for consecutive years.
Fines will be imposed on companies violating the policy, amounting to a minimum of AED 5,000 per worker and a maximum of AED 50,000 in the event of multiple workers.
He pointed out the Ministry's keenness to educate establishments and their employees about the importance of adhering to the provisions of the "midday work ban" through field visits by inspectors, which include work sites and workers' housing- contributing to enhancing awareness of occupational health and safety requirements, and protecting workers from sunstroke and heat stress.
For her part, Her Excellency Dalal Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Labor Protection Sector, pointed out that the midday work ban has become a pioneering model of partnership between the Ministry, the private sector, and members of the community, as partners develop initiatives for workers during the ban period. This reinforces the concept of social responsibility and confirms the success of the awareness-raising approach and the consolidation of humanitarian concepts in the UAE's work environment, which hosts more than 200 nationalities to live, work, and invest. This aligns with the objectives of the "We the Emirates" Vision 2031.
She commended private sector establishments that have, over the past years, taken the initiative to provide fully equipped rest areas to ensure complete comfort for workers during the daily work ban. This confirms these establishments' awareness of the importance of taking measures to preserve workers' health before resuming daily work after the suspension period. She called on private sector establishments to implement such initiatives, which will positively impact workers' health and enhance their productivity.
The "noontime work ban" provisions require companies to provide tools and supplies for the ban period, provide shaded areas for workers to protect them from the sun during off-duty periods or while performing licensed work, as well as provide appropriate cooling equipment such as fans, sufficient quantities of water, and hydrating materials like salts and similar products approved for use by local authorities in the country, as well as other amenities and first aid equipment in the workplace.
The midday work ban provisions ensure the continuity of work in a manner that serves the public interest. They stipulate the exception of some works that require continuous work for technical reasons, such as asphalt mix laying and concrete pouring if they cannot be implemented or completed after the ban period, and works necessary to avert danger or repair faults that affect society in general, such as interruptions in water supply lines, power outages, traffic disruptions, and other faults in essential services. The exception also includes works that require a permit from a competent government authority due to their impact on traffic and public life.