Outdoor workers get help to beat the UAE heat

Ras Al Khaimah

Outdoor workers are to receive water and juice to help them work in the summer heat.

The initiative called “Thank you …we are with you” was launched last week by the Ras Al Khaimah Traffic and Patrols Department in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour in Ras Al Khaimah.

The campaign will continue all summer across the country. The drinks will be handed out to construction workers as well as municipal and electricity and water authority workers.

The campaign was headed by Colonel Abdullah Ali Al Munkis, Director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at Ras Al Khaimah Police.

This year the midday break is enforced from June 15 to September 15 and any violation of the rule leads to penalties of Dh50,000 for employers.

Municipality inspectors across all the emirates go on surprise visits to monitor any violations. Last year inspectors uncovered 109 violations.

UAE authorities introduced the midday break rule in the summer of 2005, forcing firms who have workers working in an outdoor environment to give workers time off for the summer months.