Summer midday break has been a cool idea from the start



The midday break was first introduced in 2004 as a way to provide hard-working labourers with some respite from the blistering summer sun.

The break, which sees outdoor workers down tools from 12.30pm to 3pm each day during the summer, has been well received by both labourers and doctors, who say it has led to a significant decline in the number of heat exhaustion cases.

In 2010, the break was extended from two months to three. Before then it lasted for the months of July and August but that changed to starting on June 15 and ending on September 15 each year.

Each year, the Ministry of Labour conducts inspections at companies across the country to ensure they are abiding by the rule. The ministry has about 18 inspection teams that conduct 60,000 field visits each summer to check on compliance. In addition, they make about 20,000 educational visits to ensure labourers are aware of their rights, distributing leaflets in 10 languages.

If a company is found to be in breach, first-time offenders are fined Dh15,000 and are downgraded to category C for at least three months, making them ineligible for work permits for at least six months.

Those caught out a second time are also fined Dh15,000 and cannot obtain work permits for nine months, while third-time offenders are fined Dh20,000 and cannot get work permits for a year.

However, compliance is high. In 2014, for example, only 147 companies were found to have breached the midday break law. A total of 77,522 facilities passed the inspection, meaning 99.69 per cent of companies were in compliance.

The ministry encourages people to report any breaches by calling 800 665 or by using its smartphone app.

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
  • The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
  • The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
  • The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
  • The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
  • The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Company%C2%A0profile
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