Home Industry Economy UAE announces midday break from June 15 to September 15: What you need to know Daily working hours, in the morning and evening shifts, shall not exceed eight hours during the months of the midday break by Marisha Singh May 31, 2024 Image credit: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) notified employers and businesses operating in the UAE, of the start of the ‘midday break,’ from June 15 until September 15. The midday break is a mandatory revised work schedule which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air areas between 12:30pm and 3:00 pm, for the specified period. The break, now being implemented for the 20th consecutive year, aims to protect outdoor workers during peak summer months, said MoHRE. MoHRE, in its statement added, “the legislation creates a framework for a safe working environment that adheres to best practices and standards of occupational health and safety, protecting workers against injuries that may result from working in high temperatures during the summer.” Mohsin Al Nassi, assistant undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said, “Implementing the Midday Break has become a deeply ingrained culture in the UAE’s business community and among private-sector companies in the country, given its role in ensuring the health and safety of workers, whom we consider to be the most valuable resource of any company. “We look forward to continued cooperation between the Ministry, private-sector companies, and community members to achieve our shared goals, enhance the leadership and competitiveness of the UAE labour market, and boost its efficiency, productivity, and attractiveness to local and international talent, all while improving workers’ wellbeing.” Provisions under the midday break law Employers are required to provide parasols and shaded areas that protect workers against direct sunlight during the midday break or while performing their exempted jobs. They are additionally required to ensure these work areas are equipped with adequate cooling devices such as fans, sufficient drinking water, hydrating materials such as salts and/or other food items approved for use by the local authorities, along with other amenities and first aid equipment on the job sites. Daily working hours, in the morning and evening shifts, shall not exceed eight hours during the months of the ban. If an employee is made to work more than eight hours in a 24-hour period, the additional hours will be considered overtime and the employee would be entitled to additional pay, based on the Regulation of Employment Relationship Law. Exemptions The midday break takes into account the need to maintain continuity in certain jobs that affect the community as a whole. Some jobs that require work to continue uninterrupted are exempted from implementing the decision for technical reasons. These include laying asphalt or pouring concrete if it is unfeasible to postpone these tasks until after the break. Exemptions include work continuity needed to contain hazards or repair damages that affect the community, such as interruptions to water supply or electricity, cutting off traffic, and other major issues with basic services. The exemption additionally includes work that requires a permit from a government authority to be implemented, given their impact on traffic flow and services. Penalty MoHRE said it will monitor compliance with the midday break by conducting inspection tours and receiving reports from community members about violations of the ban through its call centre at 600590000, its website, or the MoHRE app available on Android and iOS. Companies found to be in violation face fines of Dhs5,000 for each worker operating during the midday break and up to a maximum of Dhs50,000 for multiple workers. The ministry added it plans to launch awareness campaigns and conduct field visits to work sites, in collaboration with its partners, to educate workers and employers about the importance of complying with the midday break during its enforcement period. Tags midday break Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) outdoor workers summer You might also like UAE visa amnesty: New services to help rectify status, fine exemption Summer skincare, nutrition: What the experts advise UAE weather: 50.8 degrees C temperatures followed by hail, rain showers Heat wave: 2024 could be world’s hottest year; June breaks records
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) notified employers and businesses operating in the UAE, of the start of the ‘midday break,’ from June 15 until September 15. The midday break is a mandatory revised work schedule which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air areas between 12:30pm and 3:00 pm, for the specified period. The break, now being implemented for the 20th consecutive year, aims to protect outdoor workers during peak summer months, said MoHRE. MoHRE, in its statement added, “the legislation creates a framework for a safe working environment that adheres to best practices and standards of occupational health and safety, protecting workers against injuries that may result from working in high temperatures during the summer.” Mohsin Al Nassi, assistant undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said, “Implementing the Midday Break has become a deeply ingrained culture in the UAE’s business community and among private-sector companies in the country, given its role in ensuring the health and safety of workers, whom we consider to be the most valuable resource of any company. “We look forward to continued cooperation between the Ministry, private-sector companies, and community members to achieve our shared goals, enhance the leadership and competitiveness of the UAE labour market, and boost its efficiency, productivity, and attractiveness to local and international talent, all while improving workers’ wellbeing.” Provisions under the midday break law Employers are required to provide parasols and shaded areas that protect workers against direct sunlight during the midday break or while performing their exempted jobs. They are additionally required to ensure these work areas are equipped with adequate cooling devices such as fans, sufficient drinking water, hydrating materials such as salts and/or other food items approved for use by the local authorities, along with other amenities and first aid equipment on the job sites. Daily working hours, in the morning and evening shifts, shall not exceed eight hours during the months of the ban. If an employee is made to work more than eight hours in a 24-hour period, the additional hours will be considered overtime and the employee would be entitled to additional pay, based on the Regulation of Employment Relationship Law. Exemptions The midday break takes into account the need to maintain continuity in certain jobs that affect the community as a whole. Some jobs that require work to continue uninterrupted are exempted from implementing the decision for technical reasons. These include laying asphalt or pouring concrete if it is unfeasible to postpone these tasks until after the break. Exemptions include work continuity needed to contain hazards or repair damages that affect the community, such as interruptions to water supply or electricity, cutting off traffic, and other major issues with basic services. The exemption additionally includes work that requires a permit from a government authority to be implemented, given their impact on traffic flow and services. Penalty MoHRE said it will monitor compliance with the midday break by conducting inspection tours and receiving reports from community members about violations of the ban through its call centre at 600590000, its website, or the MoHRE app available on Android and iOS. Companies found to be in violation face fines of Dhs5,000 for each worker operating during the midday break and up to a maximum of Dhs50,000 for multiple workers. The ministry added it plans to launch awareness campaigns and conduct field visits to work sites, in collaboration with its partners, to educate workers and employers about the importance of complying with the midday break during its enforcement period.
