UAE's labour ministry imposes summer midday break

The mandatory midday break for labourers who work in the sun during summer months will be imposed this year from 15th June, according to the Ministry of Labour. Companies will have to give a two-and-a-half hour break from 12.30pm to 3pm to labourers who work in open areas such as construction sites, according to the decision issued on Wednesday by the Minister of Labour, Saqr Ghobash. The three-month midday break rule will be enforced until 15th September this year. The ministerial decision also states that daily working hours must not exceed eight hours in the morning or night shifts, and that overtime should be paid to those working additional hours in a 24-hour period. Labourers must not work at all during the banned hours if they usually work in the open. Works which must continue non-stop for technical reasons are exempt from the ban, but employers are required to provide all facilities that cater to the health and safety of workers including first aid, re-hydration/electrolyte solutions, cold water etc.. A list of such works will be issued tomorrow by the Ministry. Companies who violate the midday summer break will face penalties. Offenders will have the classification of their firms downgraded by the Ministry, and will be fined AED 15,000 for each violation.