ABU DHABI // Most of the 61 violations of the midday break rule found so far in Dubai have been minor, officials said yesterday.
From July 1, when the rule took effect, to last Monday, the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai inspected 2,399 facilities, meaning 2.5 per cent were found offending.
Labour law requires companies to provide a well-ventilated shelter for rest between 12.30pm and 3pm, when temperatures are highest.
"The violations were minor. And sometimes it wasn't the company forcing the labourers to work during the break - some workers don't really understand what the break is or its significance," said Major Gen Mohamed al Marri, the chairman of the committee.
"That's why the committee exists. The main goal is to explain to the labourers about the break and the benefits of not working under the sun during that time."
He said that if, when the inspectors visit a site, they see anyone working during break time they take pictures and speak to the foreman. Then they send a report to the Ministry of Labour.
Major Gen al Marri said it is up to the ministry to decide what penalties the companies will face and whether their names will be announced. Moreover, some facilities are exempt from the break in certain situations.
"For example, if the contractor starts pouring cement, they can't stop until they finish," he said. "So in this case the ministry might excuse them, or they could already have special permits from the ministry."
The inspections will continue until the end of August.
@Email:hdajani@thenational.ae
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
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
