Heat is on to ensure midday break rule

Dubai: Inspections will be stepped up to prevent violations of midday break rule, said the Minister of Labour.

Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi told Gulf News the inspection unit will be out in full force to ensure that companies obey the rule.

The midday break rule was adopted in 2005 to give labourers respite from work during the hottest part of the day during July and August.

Last year the midday break was from 12.30 to 3pm and companies which were caught violating the rule were penalised.

A ministerial decision on the midday break is scheduled to be issued next week, but no major changes are likely, according to Al Ka'abi.

"Inspections will be intensified this year. Full capacity of the ministry's investigation unit will be used to check on midday break violators. This is possible because inspectors will not be checking on other violations committed by companies until the end of the amnesty period," said Al Ka'abi.

The Cabinet has granted a three-month grace period for illegal expatriate workers and their employers to either adjust their status or leave the country without penalty.

According to ministry statistics, around 120 inspectors monitor some 300,000 private firms in the country. Another 200 inspectors were recently employed by the ministry as part of a three-year plan to expand and develop the unit.

Last year, companies across the country had to pay about Dh7 million in fines. Some 729 out of 3,000 companies inspected broke the rule.

Fourteen companies broke the rule more than once, according to the ministry statistics.

"We are expecting greater commitment from companies this year as they realised that the ministry will not tolerate those who break the rule and they have to bear the consequences of their actions," said Al Ka'abi.

Penalties for violating rule