Employers forcing workers to work during restricted hours will be fined up to 50,000


Abu Dhabi (Urdu Point Akhbartaza Tareen. 05 June 2023) The United Arab Emirates has announced a ban on working in the sun at noon for 3 months from June 15. According to Emirati media, the UAE has announced a ban on working in open spaces and in direct sunlight from 15 June to 15 September daily from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. (MOHRE) has stated that the working hours per day shall not exceed 8 hours during the restricted months, if an employee is forced to work more than 8 hours per day, the additional period shall be treated as overtime. will be considered and the employee will be entitled to compensation, employers are also obliged to provide a shaded area where workers can rest during the lunch 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.
Certain jobs are found to require uninterrupted work and are exempt from the afternoon work restriction, which are as follows;

>> Pouring asphalt or concrete, where it is impossible to postpone these works until after the break
>> The urgent need for work to overcome hazards or repair damage affecting the community such as water supply or power interruptions, traffic disruptions and other critical issues

Mohsin Nasi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said that worker health and safety is a cornerstone of labor market legislation, and the midday work break, which has been implemented for the 19th consecutive year, is the highest. Under professional and humane standards designed to protect workers from possible exposure to extreme weather during the summer, particularly during the afternoon, as a result of high temperatures.

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.