195 firms fail to respect mid-day break rule

Some 195 firms did not comply with the mid-day break rule in the first two weeks of its enforcement by the Ministry of Labour.

The three-month mid-day break is being implemented by the ministry from June 15 to September 15 from 12.30pm to 3pm.

The Ministry of Labour has extended this year’s summer mid-day break from two to three months.

About 99 per cent of firms have complied with the break, a senior labour official disclosed.

Last year, the mid-day break was between July 1 and August 31.

Mohsen Al Nasi, Director of the Inspection Department, the Ministry of Labour, said in 14,040 inspections, labour inspectors found 13,845 companies (99 per cent) respecting the mid-day rule, while some 195 firms didn’t in the first two weeks.

He said compliance rate of the companies with the mid-day break rule, now in its sixth year, were “excellent”.

About 18 inspection teams will carry out orientation and inspection tours at work sites.

Workshops and field visits will be conducted to educate employers about implementation mechanisms of the resolution and inform workers of their rights, he added.

“A ministry committee is now evaluating inspection operations in order to slap penalties as per ministerial resolution No443 of 2010, which defines the working hours for out-door activities during the summer and penalties on offenders, he added.

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