Midday break rule violators 'not paying fines'

Dubai: The majority of companies violating the midday break rule, which stipulates a halt on all outdoor work from 12.30 to 3 pm during July and August, have not paid the enforced fines.

About 298 of the 335 companies which were caught violating the midday break rule across the country for the month of July have not paid the enforced fines, according to Ministry of Labour statistics released on Wednesday.

Although the total amount of the fines is Dh3.35 million only Dh370,000 have been paid to the ministry from the fines so far.

Companies which do not comply with the rule could face fines of Dh30,000 and have a ban on issuing work permits up to one year.

This year no company has been fined more than Dh10,000 because all of them have only violated the rule once, according to Eisa Al Zarouni, head of the inspection department in Dubai.

"The ministry does not increase the amount of the fines in case of delays in payment but the block of work permit transactions on the violating companies will not be lifted until the payments," said Al Zarouni.

Although the number of violating companies has increased from 249 to 335 this year compared to last year the commitment of among companies has remained on a 99 per cent rate as the ministry has increased the inspection visits, according to Zarouni.

Total inspection's visits for 2008 were approximately 55,000 visit for the whole period of the break while this year more than 36,000 visits have been conducted in July only.