Just 56 of 45,000 UAE firms flouted mid-day break rule

As many as 44,779 companies, or around 99.88 per cent of the total establishments in the UAE, complied with the mid-day break rule which was in force from mid-June to August 9, 2014, said a report issued by the UAE’s Ministry of Labour (MoL).

The report said 56 firms went against the law by not observing the mid-day break rule.

Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, said that entering the 10th year of implementing the decision, statistics show high rates of commitment that rises yearly, which confirms the owners’ commitment to the laws and regulations imposed by the ministry.

The mid-day break determines the working hours for workers performing duty under the sun and in the open areas, and mandates a break between 12:30pm and 3pm. It urges business owners to provide shaded areas for the workers during their break period and to completely cease work. The decision also refers the owners to adapt to eight daily working hours and reimburse labourers working overtime according to the provisions of Federal Law No. 8 of 1980.

There are some exceptional cases that require continuation of work during those periods for technical reasons, yet employers are obliged to provide cold drinking water, safety tools and materials, salts, lemon, fresh salads and all necessities that have been approved for use by health authorities in the country.

Al Dhaheri pointed out that the importance of the decision comes in the framework of protecting the health and safety of those workers during extreme high temperatures in the summer, and at the same time takes into account the interests of the business.

He said violators will be fined Dh15,000 if found forcing labourers to work during the banned hours, in addition to labourers found working without a permit from the ministry.

Al Dhaheri said the total number of visits that were undertaken by inspectors to work sites in various activities across the country, totalled 44,835 visits: 10,120 in Abu Dhabi; 13,040 in Dubai; 5,117 in Sharjah; 6,191 in Ajman; 1,748 in Ras Al Khaimah; 4,038 in Umm Al Quwain, and 4,581 in Fujairah.

He said companies that adhered to the mid-day break rule totalled 99.97 per cent in Abu Dhabi, 99.83 per cent in Dubai, 99.97 per cent in Sharjah, 99.92 per cent in Ajman, 98.63 per cent in RAK, and 100 per cent in UAQ and Fujairah.

Additionally, Al Dhaheri said the ministry carried out 18,142 visits to guide workers of their need to follow safe instructions, which aims to protect them from hazardous conditions and from any sorts of labour risks plus guiding employers to the importance of abiding to labour laws.

The number of educational visits amounted to 3,150 in Abu Dhabi, 4,445 visits in Dubai, 2,418 in Sharjah, 2,238 in Ajman, 2,801 in Ras Al Khaimah, 1,404 in Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah saw 1,686 visits.

Inspectors also distributed posters and brochures to emphasise awareness amongst the labourers, as well as refreshments.


 

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