Summer in the UAE has come into full force, and with that residents are concerned about the wellbeing of blue-collar and construction workers.

With temperatures in the country soaring to 43°- 45°C on a daily basis, there are strict rules put in place to ensure the welfare of labour workers, one of them being that NO employee should be working out under direct sunlight between 12.30pm and 3pm throughout the duration of summer (from June 15 to September 15 to be exact).

This mandate comes as per the provisions of Ministerial Decree No. 401 of 2015 Concerning the Determination of Midday Working Hours (the ‘Midday Working Hours Relaxation Law of UAE’), as reported by Khaleej Times.

All mid-day construction activities are to halt during that time period as directed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

The law also clarifies that,

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“The working hours are determined for the works performed under the sun and in open areas provided that labour shall not be present at the working site after 12.30pm. No business shall be resumed before 3pm. The employer shall provide an appropriate shelter for such labour to rest therein during this period.”

Companies caught breaching the labour working laws, will be subject to penalties and suspension of their companies or assets.

Companies that do not comply with the regulations can face up to AED5,000 in fines per employee.

Call MOHRE on +97168027666 or 800-60 to file a report or shoot an email to ask@mohre.gov.ae.

The UAE is yet to announce the list of exempted sectors from this law, however, workers completing projects licensed from governmental departments such as electrical, water supplies, communications, petrol stations, sewage pipes and etc, may be exempt from the work time ban.

Employers of the exempt sectors are required to provide them with cool drinking water, food, first-aid kits and shaded areas for workers to rest at.

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