Works exempt from mid-day break rule

The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has issued an administrative order specifying exemptions from the recently-announced midday break rule for labourers who work in the sun. 

Workers can continue in banned hours if they are working on outdoor projects that cannot be postponed for technical reasons, such as repairing damages to water pipes, petrol pipes, sewage pipes, or on disconnected electrical lines, according to the new order issued by undersecretary of MoL, Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri. 

The midday rule exemption also includes labourers working on projects licensed from governmental departments which could affect the movement of traffic if the work should stop for few hours, or also that which could effect electrical, water supplies or telecommunications.

Laying of asphalt, pouring concrete are among the works that are necessary to avert danger and damage or to repair casual emergency faults. 

Employers are demanded to provide all facilities that cater to the health of workers including first aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water. 

Companies will have to give a two-and-a-half hour break from 12.30pm to 3pm to labourers who work in open areas such as construction sites, according to the decision issued earlier this week by the Minister of Labour, Saqr Ghobash. 

The three-month midday break rule will be enforced from June 15 until September 15, 2013. 

Al Dhaheri said MoL inspectors will be deployed to follow up compliance of employers with these measures. 

Last year, almost all private companies complied with the 3 month-long midday break rule, the official added.

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