UAE announces lunch break for outdoor workers from June 15 to September 15

Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced a ban on working in open spaces and in direct sunlight from 12:30 noon to 3 pm from June 15, 2023 to September 15, 2023.

In accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. (44) of 2022 on Occupational Health and Safety and Labor Accommodation, lunch breaks are implemented annually with the aim of providing a working environment that protects workers from occupational hazards and prevents work-related injuries or illnesses.

Employers found to be violating the rules and regulations of the ban will be fined Dh5,000 per worker, up to Dh50,000 if multiple workers work in violation of the ban.

During the months of the ban, the daily working hours of the morning and evening shifts are limited to eight hours.

If an employee works more than 8 hours in a 24-hour period, the excess time is considered overtime and the employee is entitled to additional wages under the Employment Relations Act. Employers must provide a shaded area where workers can rest during their midday break.

Mohsen Al Nassi, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspections at MoHRE, said: “The health and safety of workers is a cornerstone of labor market legislation and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is committed to creating the necessary conditions to ensure a safe working environment for them.

For the 19th year in a row, lunch breaks have been implemented to meet the highest professional and humane standards and are designed to protect workers from the potential risk of injury from the summer heat, especially at midday.

“The decision to ban midday work is a notable milestone for the labor market and an integral part of the UAE’s work environment regulations and the culture of our communities, with partners from the Ministry and other individuals launching a series of initiatives over the summer to provide protection Supplies to protect workers from exposure, heat stroke and heat stroke,” he added.

“We are confident that employers across the country will comply with the ban. We have seen impressive compliance rates over the past few years, which confirms the importance of the market to this decision and its role in protecting workers from Awareness levels of the effective role in terms of the hazards of direct sunlight or working in open spaces around midday.”

The decision to introduce a midday work break takes into account the need to maintain the continuity of certain jobs that affect the community, so some jobs need to continue uninterrupted and are exempt from the midday work ban for technical reasons. These include laying asphalt or pouring concrete, if these tasks cannot be postponed until after the break.

Also on the list are works needed to contain hazards or repair damage affecting the community, such as water or power outages, transportation disruptions, and other major issues. The exemption also includes works that require permission from relevant government agencies to carry out, taking into account the impact on traffic and service flows. These missions require non-stop work, including cutting or diverting major transportation routes, power lines and communications.

In the case of exempt work, employers must provide workers with sufficient cold drinking water. Public health and safety requirements should be met by providing moisturizing foods such as salt and/or other foods approved for use by UAE local authorities. They must also provide first aid on the job site, adequate industrial cooling, umbrellas to protect from direct sunlight, and shaded areas for workers to rest during downtime.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation receives reports of violations of the midday work ban by community members through its call center 600590000 which takes calls 24/7 and in 20 languages ​​including the three main languages ​​through an automated call system. The ministry can also be reached through its smart app.