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Dubai: An administrator with the Ministry of Labour said giving labourers a midday break increased their productivity and reduced the risk of accidents.
"Companies have to adhere to this rule. We perform regular inspections to ensure they do," Hajar Al Khouri said while speaking to company representatives yesterday.
A meeting was held yesterday with local companies to reiterate the summer midday break rule, where labourers are entitled to a break between 12:30 pm and 3 pm in the months of July and August.
"Companies that violate the rule will be punished with a Dh10,000 fine, a downgrade to grade C and a suspension of company transaction at the ministry for three months," Al Khouri said.
A second violation will result in a Dh20,000 fine, a degradation and a suspension of transactions for six months. If the company continues to violate the rule, the fine will increase to Dh40,000 and the suspension extended to one year.
"Employers have to ensure that there is a time schedule for each worker's working hours, which the ministry inspector can examine. Likewise, the workers must be aware of the rule and of this time sheet," she added.
According to the new rule, work sites should provide cold drinking water, thirst gratifiers including minerals and juices, cooling devices, shades protecting labourers from the sun and first aid kits. Daily working hours are limited to eight, above which companies are to compensate the workers with extra pay.
Only asphalt companies that have no other choice but to work at noon break will be exempted from the rule, after requesting it and providing evidence of the work that will be completed, according to the administrator. The only other exemption involves emergency situations to protect people or property from danger and are mostly related to water, electricity and infrastructure and which may cause danger.
Four years after the rule was first introduced, officials confirm that the number of violations has declined.
Employers have to ensure there is a time schedule for each worker's working hours, which the inspector can examine."
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