Midday work ban in the UAE to begin from June 15

The UAE will implement its annual midday work ban from June 15, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has confirmed.

The ban prohibits work under direct sunlight from 12.30pm until 3pm, and requires employers to provide workers with shaded areas to rest during the break.

Under the decision, daily working hours – for morning, evening or both shifts – are not to exceed eight hours, official news agency WAM reported.

If work timings exceed eight hours within 24 hours, the extra time will be deemed overtime, for which the worker will have to be paid an additional amount, in accordance with the labour law.

The midday ban excludes jobs where, for technical reasons, work must continue nonstop, the ministry said. In such cases, employers must provide cool drinking water and thirst-quenching items, such as salts and lemon to the workers. They must also have first-aid kits in the workplace.

Strict adherence to precautionary measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 must also be observed, the report said.

Employers must place a schedule of the daily working hours in a prominent site in the workplace which must be written in Arabic and the language which workers understand.

The decision also requires employers to provide workers with appropriate devices that protect them from work injuries.

Any establishment that does not comply with the midday work ban will face a fine of Dhs5,000 per worker, with a maximum levy of Dhs50,000 in case the violation extends to several workers.

Violators will also have their files suspended or status downgraded in the ministry’s classification system, based on how grave the breach is.

The concerned establishment is entitled to complain within 30 days from the date of confirming the breach, by submitting a request along with the relevant documents to a special committee that will make a final decision on it.

Workers have also been urged to abide by the instructions.

Any violations can be reported on the ministry’s toll-free number 24 hours a day.