Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation excluded some work from the midday break, which will come into force this year between June 15 and September 15 from 12:30pm to 3pm.
Saif Ahmad Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of Human Resources Affairs at the Ministry, said that the excluded work during banned hours includes mixing asphalt and pouring concrete, if the work cannot be carried out or completed during the afternoon. Also excluded is work to prevent expected danger, damage, malfunction or loss, and also emergency work, such as those pertaining to cutting lines, water supply, sewerage, electricity and cutting off traffic or blocking public roads, in addition to broken gas pipelines or petroleum flow hindrances.
For cases that require work to be carried out during the break periods for technical reasons, employers must supply workers with salt and lemon, which has been approved for use by health authorities in the country. Employers must provide all facilities that cater to the health of workers, including first aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water.
The ministry also requires employers to post a clear schedule to inform workers of the daily working hours during the midday break period, plus provide them with shelter during the resting period.
Employers are urged to provide all necessary health kits to treat workers exposed to hazards and dangerous tools regularly, in addition to being required to follow safety instructions and distribute awareness leaflets to both employers and labourers to promote such awareness.
Violators will be fined Dh5,000 per worker found working during the stated break hours, to a maximum of Dh50,000 if the case involved a large number of workers. The company could also be downgraded and violators run the risk of being temporally closed down.
