Dubai: None of the Dubai-based establishments violated the midday break rule, ensuring that labourers who work in open areas, such as construction sites, are not subjected to working outdoors in the peak summer hours.

The three-month midday break rule, which began on June 15, will last until September 15. Employers are instructed to provide a shaded area for workers to rest during the midday break and employers should provide adequate preventive methods to protect workers from work-related injuries.

The decision, issued by Saqr Gobash, Minister of Labour, for the 11th year in a row, says that companies have to give a two-and-a-half-hour break from 12.30pm to 3pm to outdoor workers.

According to the Permanent Committee for Labourers Affairs (PCLA), almost 10,000 inspections were conducted on establishments in Deira and Bur Dubai between June 16 and July 23. PCLA officials said the surprise inspections are carried out on a daily basis.

“All the establishments in Dubai were found to comply with the midday break rule,” Maj Gen Obaid Muhair Bin Surour, Deputy Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) and the chairman of the PCLA, said.

An estimated 500,000 labourers working in the construction sector in Dubai are believed to benefit from the break.

If a company is found violating the rule, it will have its classification downgraded by the ministry, and will be fined Dh5,000 for each worker, with the maximum fine not exceeding Dh50,000.

Maj Gen Bin Surour earlier said: “The committee, in cooperation with the local and federal departments, has allotted a work team to enforce the midday break rules throughout the emirate.”

He said the inspection team of the PCLA is not meant only to detect violations, but to guide and educate workers and companies to avoid violations of the midday break.

“The PCLA is keen to educate workers on the dangers of working under the sun and how to protect themselves against the summer heat,” he said. “We have also distributed booklets in several languages in order to raise awareness about the midday break.”

He said workers and the public can call the toll-free number 8005111, or 04-70705005 or email dlc@dnrd.ae to report any violation of the midday break law.

Across the UAE, an estimated 99.88 per cent of companies were found to be complying with the midday break rule between its date of implementation and June 30, the Ministry of Labour had earlier reported.

Ministry officials pointed out that only 11 firms violated the law, which is 0.12 per cent.