This year’s annual midday break rule for outdoor workers close on Friday, September 15 after a three-month period of relief offered during the hottest part of the summer, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) said on Friday.
It has been in operation since 2004 in the UAE, to prevent any work in direct sunlight between 12.30pm and 3pm to help ensure the well-being and safety of labourers working outside in the summer heat.
Daily working hours must not exceed eight hours in the morning or night shift, and overtime must be paid to those working additional hours.
In August, the ministry announced that there was 99.7 per cent compliance of the rules by 53,569 companies.
Regular inspections have been completed to ensure companies are following government rules, with 13,375 patrols in the capital, 11,022 in Dubai, 5,073 in Sharjah, 8,047 in Ajman, 5,687 in Ras Al Khaimah, 2,728 in Umm Al Quwain.
Companies sticking to the rules were praised by Maher Al Obaid, an assistant undersecretary at the MOHRE.
“Workers must be supplied with water at all times, as well as minerals which are approved for use by health authorities in the country,” he said.
“They must be provided access to first aid kits on site in addition to protective umbrellas.”
As per the law, companies are fined Dh5,000 per worker if they are detected working during the summer break hours.
The break is in its 13th year and began by giving workers an interval for two summer months until 2010 when the break was extended to three months from June 15 until September 15.
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Read more:
Water and shade must be provided for outdoor workers
Workers deserve a fair deal on the midday break
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
