Muscat: Omani authorities have ordered all construction companies to stop work at sites between 12.30pm to 3.30pm from June 1 until the end of August.
The Ministry of Manpower recently launched nationwide campaigns educating workers in the construction field of the need to take a midday break due to the soaring summer temperatures.
A Ministry of Manpower official told Gulf News the Ministry will not tolerate any violations.
“More inspection visits will be paid to constructions sites to make sure that those workers get a break,” the official said.
Those violating the law will be penalised with a fine of not less than 100 rials (Dh954) and not exceeding 500 rials and a jail term of no more than one year, as per article 118 of the Omani Labour Law.
“Oman is keen to abide by the international regulations and agreements of the health and safety measures”, the official said.
The official added a midday break for workers aims to ensure a safe and healthy environment for them.
He also explained that the move would increase productivity and reduce on-site accidents.
At one construction site in Muscat many workers welcomed the move.
“I, like any other worker, will get a break as it is very hard for us to work in such hot weather”, said Rafeeq Mahboob.
Rafeeq told Gulf News that one of his colleagues died last summer after being exposed to the sun for hours.
Many employers are still violating the midday break by forcing workers to continue working while they sit in air-conditioned areas, says Ahmad Al Sa’adi, a labour activist.
Al Sa’adi called on the Ministry of Manpower to intensify its inspections outside the capital, as many construction companies in the outskirts violate the rules.
The ministry fined 25 companies for violating the midday break in 2014.
The midday break for construction site workers kicked off in 2008 as per a ministerial decision.
An official at the Directorate General of Meteorology told Gulf News that temperatures in some areas may reach 47 degrees Celsius, especially with the approach of Ramadan.
