Nearly 50 cases of employers not giving outdoor workers their statutory midday break have been uncovered this summer, officials have said.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said it is vital for outdoor workers' health that employers provide the time off between 12.30pm and 3pm – when temperatures can soar well into the 40°Cs.
Ministry officials said they discovered 47 cases of employers not meeting this entitlement through on-the-spot inspections between June 15 – this year's starting date for the scheme – and the end of July.
The vast majority of employers were found to have complied with the law, the ministry said.
The purpose is to prevent heat-related illnesses and protect the rights of workers
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
“The purpose is to prevent heat-related illnesses and protect the rights of workers,” the ministry told The National.
“The initiative contributed to enhancing the work environment by preventing workers from working outdoors in the summer peak times, to reduce workers' injuries.”
Introduced in 2004, the midday break initiative will remain in effect until September 15 this year.
Companies caught breaking the rules will face fines of Dh5,000 ($1,360) per worker, reaching a maximum of Dh50,000.
Last year, the ministry said it conducted 55,192 inspection visits across the country, with 99 per cent compliance.
It carried out 17,000 awareness visits to companies in the first six months of the year. It also held workshops and distributed brochures to companies and labour accommodation camps.
“Over the past years, we have seen impressive compliance rates of commitment,” the ministry said.
“Companies are more aware of the importance of the midday break and its effective role in protecting workers from the hazards of direct exposure to sunlight or working in open spaces around noon.”
Included in the strict guidelines for employers to follow are that they must provide employees with a shaded place to rest during their break and daily working hours – for morning, evening or both shifts – should not exceed eight hours.
If a member of staff works for longer than eight hours, it will be considered paid overtime.
Some jobs where such breaks are not possible are exempt from the regulations.
These include workers carrying out important repairs or work that involves disruption to utilities, including water and electricity supply.
In such instances, employers are required to provide sufficient cold drinking water for staff, approved foods and ensure first-aid provisions are in place.
The employer must also provide shaded areas for workers during their breaks.
The ministry urged members of the public to report any breaches of the midday break policy through its call centre at 600 590 000, which is available in a number of languages.
Violations can also be reported on ministry’s mobile phone application.
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
