34 firms caught violating mid-day work ban

UAE labour inspectors visiting outdoor construction sites caught 34 companies violating a mid-day work ban imposed annually during summer to protect workers against heat-related diseases, according to officials.

But they noted that such violations remain minimal as 9,533 firms were checked by labour ministry inspectors over a period of two weeks, adding that the compliance ratio was as high as 99.7 per cent.

“We will continue these inspections to ensure full compliance with the ban as it is intended to protect the workers’ rights and reflects the UAE’s complete respect of the rights of both the national and expatriate labour,” said Mubarak Saeed Al Dahiri, labour ministry undersecretary.

The ban, extending from 12:30 to 3:00 pm on working days, started on June 15 and will end on September 15 in line with a federal cabinet decision endorsed a few years ago to protect outdoor workers in the second largest Arab economy from risks associated with the scorching hot weather during summer.

The ministry of labour had said it would deploy scores of inspectors during that period to ensure adherence by private sector establishments to the ban and warned offenders would be liable to stiff punitive measures.

A company caught violating the ban for the first time will be fined Dh10,000 and downgraded to a lower classification. The ministry will also suspend work permits for that firm for six months.

In case the offence is repeated, the company will be fined Dh15,000, downgraded and have its work permits frozen for nine months.

A firm violating the ban for the third time will be fined Dh20,000, downgraded and have its work permits halted for at least one year.

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