UAE scraps midday work ban from September 15

The midday work ban across the UAE will end today, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed.

The ban came into effect on June 15 this year, for a period of three months. It stipulated that any form of outdoor labour work between 12.30pm and 3pm, was prohibited, official news agency WAM reported.

The mandatory annual midday work break was enacted to ensure the wellbeing and safety of labourers working under direct sunlight and to protect them from heat exhaustion, heatstroke and coronavirus for three months.

Companies responsible for works which must continue for technical reasons are exempt from the ban. Workers can continue working during the banned hours if they are working on projects that cannot be postponed for technical reasons such as asphalting of roads and laying concrete as well as repairing damage in water pipes, petrol pipes, sewage pipes or the disconnection of electrical lines.

This also includes those working on projects licenced from governmental departments which could affect the flow of traffic, or also that which could affect electrical, water supplies or communications.

Employers of companies granted exemption must arrange for cool drinking water in tandem with the number of workers and in accordance with the requirements of public safety and health, as well as thirst-quenching items, such as salts, lemon and others as used by the local authorities.

First-aid kits at the workplace must also be available at hand.

Meanwhile, strict adherence to all precautionary measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 must also be observed.