Break for workers starts today

ABU DHABI // The midday break for outside workers begins today, the Ministry of Labour has announced.

Companies with labourers working in the sun and in open areas must allow them to take the break between 12.30pm and 3pm.

The decision has been made by Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, and will be in force until September 15. Business owners are urged to provide shaded areas for workers during the break.

They are urged to adapt to eight-hour shifts each day, and to reimburse labourers who work overtime.

Employers are required to provide first-aid kits in the workplace and cooling systems and protection from direct sunlight.

They must also provide cold drinking water, safety tools and materials and snacks that have been approved by the health authorities.

Mr Ghobash said employers would be fined Dh15,000 if found to be forcing labourers to work, except for those working in exceptional cases that require continuation of work.

He asked employers to prepare daily work schedules in Arabic in accordance with the ruling for the inspectors, and in the labourers’ languages to avoid misunderstandings.

Undersecretary of the ministry, Saeed Al Dhaheri, provided a list of exceptional cases where labourers would have to work in the break.

On the list are any working on mixing asphalt or pouring concrete, which would have to be done in the afternoon, or any job to do with fixing cut lines, water supply, sewage, electricity or traffic.

Certain businesses may obtain a permit from the Government to continue projects in peak hours, but only in cases where not doing so would impede traffic flow, power supply or communications.

The ministry is organising a ceremony to launch the decision today.

newsdesk@thenational.ae * This story has been amended since it was first published. The time of the beginning of the break has been changed.