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28 March 2024

Summer noon work ban begins in UAE

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By Staff

The UAE and other Gulf oil producers on Sunday began enforcing a work ban during the hottest hours of the day to ensure the safety of outdoor workers many of whom had suffered from exhaustion before the ban was enforced years ago.

UAE Labour Minister Ali Al Kaabi issued a decision banning outdoor work from June 15 to September 15 during the peak heat period of between 12:30 and 15:00 afternoon.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries also began enforcing the ban and joined the UAE in warning employers against breaking the rule or they will severely be punished.

Under the decision in the UAE, companies found to be violating the ban will be fined Dh10,000 and have their status for worker visas downgraded for three months.

In case they repeat the offence for a second and third time, they will be fined Dh20,000 and Dh30,000 and have their status downgraded for longer periods of time.

The Ministry of Labour said it would deploy hundreds of its inspectors through the UAE to ensure respect of the decision and educate workers on protection ways.

In Saudi Arabia, the ministry began enforcing the same ban timing between June 15 and Swept 15 and warned offending companies could face indefinite shutdown.

For the first offence, violating companies will be fined up to SR10,000 (Dh10,000) and could be shut for one month in the second offence.
The ministry said companies repeating the offence for more than three times could be shut down indefinitely.

Oman and other Gulf nations also began implementing the summer work ban following persistent heat and sunstroke cases among outdoor workers and growing global concerns about the expatriate workers’ human rights.