Mid-day work ban ends on Thursday

A three-month ban on mid day work imposed by the ministry of labour on local private sector construction firms during the hot summer season will end on Thursday and officials reported minimal violations.

Nearly 3.8 million workers registered with the ministry benefited from the ban, which was enforced on June 15 for a period of three months to protect outdoor workers against sun stroke and other problems associated with heat.

Officials said most of the more than 300,000 companies in the UAE, the second largest Arab economy, complied with the rule and averted heavy fines by the ministry of labour seeking to ensure the safety of its expatriate community in line with international labour and social laws.

Hundreds of inspectors have visited construction firms and other open-air work sites to ensure compliance with the ban and educate workers and their employers on the need to respect safety regulations.

Officials said only 35 companies were caught violating the ban in the first two months, adding that this is minimal considering the number of registered firms.

The annual ban, extending from 12:30 to 3:00 pm on working days, is in line with a federal cabinet decision endorsed a few years ago to protect outdoor workers.

Under the rule, 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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