Work will be stopped in open areas and in direct sunlightfrom 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM
A ban on working in the sun at noon has been imposed in the UAE. According to Emirati media, the United Arab Emirates has banned working in the sun during the afternoon for 3 months from June 15. Working in light will be prohibited.
The Ministry of Human Resources and the Emirates (MOHRE) has stated that daily working hours will not exceed 8 hours during the restricted months if an employee is forced to work more than 8 hours per day. Therefore, the additional period will be considered overtime and the employee will be entitled to compensation. Employers are also obliged to provide a shaded area where workers can rest during the afternoon break.
It states that employers who violate the ban and regulations will be fined 5,000 dirhams for each worker, with a maximum fine of 50,000 dirhams if multiple workers are found to be working during the prohibited hours. Community members are encouraged to report violations in this regard.
Mohsin Al Nasi, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Inspections of the Emirates, said that the health and safety of workers is the main pillar of labor market legislation, with the midday work break being implemented for the 19th year in a row. This decision is based on the highest professional and humanitarian standards designed to protect workers from the potential risk of extreme weather during the summer, particularly as a result of high temperatures during the afternoon.
He said that the decision to ban midday work is a significant milestone for the labor market, which is an integral part of the work environment regulations in the UAE and our community culture, the ministry's partners and others. During the summer months, several initiatives are launched, providing workers with equipment that protects them from heat exhaustion and sunstroke while working in direct sunlight.
