UAE | Employment
Firms violating break rule to be named and shamed
Companies found violating mid-day break will be named and shamed and heavily fined, according to a decision taken by Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi.
- By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
Abu Dhabi: Companies found violating mid-day break will be named and shamed and heavily fined, according to a decision taken by Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi.
If construction companies are found violating the decision, the names of the business, the managers and owners shall be published in daily newspapers and advertisement boards at the ministry, according to the decision.
The mid-day break from 12.30 to 3pm for construction workers, which will be effective from July 1 to August 30, has been cut by an hour and a half compared to last year's rest from 12.30 to 4.30pm.
Hottest period
Dr Al Ka'abi attributed the reduction in the break time for workers this summer to company complaints that transporting men back to their accommodation last year had had created "practical problems."
The decision, Al Ka'abi said, was made after studies showed the hottest part of the day was between 12.30 and 3pm.
"Companies whose men are working too far away from their accommodation to be taken back during the break period have to ensure there is ample shade and that water coolers and first aid facilities are on site if they are to avoid penalties," Al Ka'abi said.
The new shift schedule should be written in Arabic and a language understood by workers, and should be clearly posted for all to see, the decision said.
If workers are needed during those hours when the work cannot be stopped, due to technical reasons, employers have to provide all facilities to ensure they do not suffer in the heat.
Khalid Ahmad Al Minhali, head of the occupational health and safety section at the ministry, said last year offending companies faced a fine of Dh3,000 for each worker made to work in uncovered sites during the break.
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