Abu Dhabi: A mandatory midday break for labourers during the summer months will start from June 15 and end on September 16, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced on Wednesday.

The decision implemented by the ministry for the 13th year in a row prevents any work under direct sunlight between 12.30pm and 3pm for three months.

Violating companies are fined Dh5,000 per worker and a maximum of Dh50,000 if the case involves a large number of workers. The company can be degraded and possibly even temporarily stopped from operating.

Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, declared the decree based on general safety and health procedures, which the UAE upholds, to prevent any sort of work-related injuries.

Working hours will be divided into two shifts, morning and evening, with a total of eight hours daily, Gobash said. Compensation must be provided to workers who exceed the working hours and are required to do overtime.

“If business conditions require additional working hours, then that period is considered overtime, workers shall be paid for a wage equal to the normal working hours, plus, an increase of not less than 25 per cent of that wage. The increase shall be at least 50 per cent of the worker’s wage if called for duty between 9 pm and 4 am.”

The ruling also requires employers to post a clear schedule to inform workers of the daily working hours during the midday break period, abd to provide them shelter during the resting periods.

Employers are urged to regularly provide all necessary health kits to protect workers exposed to hazards and dangerous tools in addition to following safety instructions and distributing awareness leaflets to both employees and labourers to promote such awareness.

In exceptional cases where continuous work is required, employers must provide workers with cold water and other items recommended by the country’s health authorities such as salt and lemon. They must also provide first aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water.

Works excluded from working hours ban include work on mix asphalt poured concretes if it is impossible to implement or supplement the necessary work in one day or doing work to prevent expected danger or repair to rectify damage or malfunction or loss and also emergency work, including cutting lines, water supply, sewerage, electricity and cutting off traffic or blocking public roads, in addition to damaged gas or petroleum pipelines.