UAE | Employment

102 companies fined more than Dh1m for violating break rule

Companies are to pay more than Dh1 million in fines for violating the midday break rule during the first 13 days since the decision was implemented.

  • By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:03 July 16, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
  • Labourers from a construction site near the World Trade Centre roundabout nap in the shade near Shaikh Zayed Road.

Dubai: Companies are to pay more than Dh1 million in fines for violating the midday break rule during the first 13 days since the decision was implemented.

Eisa Al Zarouni, Deputy head at the investigation unit, said the ministry has issued fines amounting to Dh1.2 million to companies. The midday break rule stipulates a halt of outdoor work from 12.30 to 3pm during July and August.

Nearly 102 companies have violated the rule in Dubai and Northern Emirates, according to ministry statistics.

"One of the companies was caught violating the rule twice and thus had to pay a Dh20,000 fine the second time," said Al Zarouni.

Dubai made up some 20 per cent of the total number of violations.

The majority of the violations were registered in the Northern Emirates with the largest numbers in Ajman where 29 companies were caught violating the rule followed by Ras Al Khaimah with 26 cases registered. All companies were downgraded to category C and those which are in category C have had their transactions stopped for three months.

ministry warning

Company fails to provide facilities at site

A warning was issued by the Ministry of Labour to a Dubai-based company that left its workers to rest in residential buildings during the midday break.

Eisa Al Zarouni, Deputy head at the investigation unit said the ministry had caught some workers resting in residential buildings to escape the heat as their company failed to provide them with appropriate resting places.

"If the offence occurs another time we will enforce a Dh10,000 fine and downgrade the company to category C," said Al Zarouni.

"Companies have to provide appropriate onsite resting rooms during the midday break or provide them transport back to the labour accommodation," he added.

Violators

Dubai made up 20 per cent of 102 companies violating the rule. The majority of the violations were registered in the Northern Emirates with the largest numbers in Ajman where 29 companies were caught violating the rule followed by Ras Al Khaimah with 26 cases registered.

- W.I.

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