The United Arab Emirates continues to enforce the decision to ban outdoor work under direct sunlight and in open spaces for the twentieth consecutive year.
The implementation of the decision will commence on Saturday, starting from 12:30 PM until 3:00 PM, becoming a cornerstone of labour legislation in the country. This aims to provide a safe working environment that adheres to best practices and occupational health and safety requirements, thereby preventing workers from injuries and damages resulting from working in high temperatures during the summer months.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is implementing the midday break in line with its continued commitment to occupational health and safety, which aims to provide a safe working environment for labourers and spare them the risks of exposure to high temperatures during the summer months.
The Ministry also receives reports from the community members about any violation of the rule through its call centre at 600590000, operational from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00 in several languages, in addition to receiving reports through the Ministry's smart application.
An administrative fine will be imposed on establishments that violate the noon work ban amounting to AED5,000 for each worker and a maximum of AED50,000 in the case that multiple workers are working in violation of the ban.
The Ministry recently announced that 6,000 rest stations will be provided for delivery service workers across the UAE, in collaboration with government entities and private sector companies, offering an interactive map of these stations to enable workers to easily locate and access them during the Midday Break.
This initiative, supported by MoHRE, RTA, Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE economic development departments, and major delivery companies like Talabat, Deliveroo, Noon, and Careem, aims to enhance the health and safety of delivery service workers by providing numerous rest areas across restaurants, shopping centres, retail stores, and cloud kitchens, expanding on last year's effort to protect workers from heat exhaustion during the Midday Break hours.
MoHRE recently launched a new edition of the labour accommodation electronic system – the first national platform for registering workers’ housing. The platform is presented to companies across the UAE to raise awareness about accommodation standards and compliance with the requirements of the Ministry and its government partners, tasked with monitoring workers’ housing. The system aims to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of workers in the UAE.
MoHRE issued a statement urging companies with 50 or more employees to provide accommodation for their workers through the approved systems, and to register the required data on the website by accessing the Labour Accommodation System under the ‘Services’ icon, in implementation of the Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022 Regarding Occupational Health and Safety and Labour Accommodation.
By the end of 2023, UAE's private sector saw a 1000% rise in companies meeting labor accommodation standards under Ministerial Decision No. 44 of 2022. The UAE supports workers with social protection including Unemployment Insurance for up to 3 months, a "Saving Scheme" for end-of-service benefits, and systems for wage protection and occupational health. These initiatives ensure a secure work environment and safeguard workers' financial entitlements.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
