UAE enforces midday work ban to protect workers from extreme summer heat

For the twelfth consecutive year, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has renewed its decision to enforce a midday work ban, prohibiting outdoor labor under direct sunlight from June 15 to September 15. The ban is effective daily from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM and aims to safeguard the health and safety of workers exposed to extreme summer heat.

The directive, issued through a ministerial resolution, underscores the UAE’s ongoing commitment to occupational health and safety standards. It mandates that daily work hours be limited to eight hours, split between morning and evening shifts. Any additional hours worked beyond this threshold within a 24-hour period must be compensated as overtime, in accordance with UAE labor law.

As part of the decision, the Ministry outlined four key obligations for employers and establishments to comply with during the midday work ban:

The Ministry will begin enforcing the ban on Sunday, June 15, marking the 21st consecutive year of its implementation. The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to create a safe and sustainable working environment aligned with global best practices in occupational health and safety, particularly during the high-risk summer months.

MoHRE also announced penalties for non-compliance: Dh5,000 per violating worker, with a maximum fine of Dh50,000 for multiple infractions.

In collaboration with public and private entities, the Ministry will once again provide secure, air-conditioned rest stations across the country for delivery service workers during the ban period. A digital interactive map of these rest stops will be made available to help workers locate them easily.

This annual measure reflects the UAE’s proactive approach in protecting outdoor workers from heat-related risks, ensuring their wellbeing and productivity during the hottest period of the year.

In a recent update published on its official website, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has confirmed that three specific types of work are exempt from the midday work ban regulation. These exemptions are granted strictly for technical reasons that necessitate uninterrupted operations. The exempted activities include: laying asphalt mixtures and pouring concrete when these processes cannot be delayed or completed after the ban period; emergency tasks required to prevent danger or repair disruptions that impact public welfare—such as damage to water supply lines; and works that require prior approval from a relevant government authority due to their impact on traffic flow or other critical infrastructure.

The Ministry encourages members of the public to report any violations of the midday work ban through one of three official channels: the call center at 600590000, the Ministry’s smart application—via the “Add Report” service available on the Apple and Google Play stores, and the Ministry’s website, also through the “Add Report” feature.

The midday work ban has consistently achieved a remarkable compliance rate exceeding 99% over consecutive years. This high level of adherence underscores the deeply rooted social and humanitarian values embraced by the UAE’s business community and private sector. It also reflects a broad awareness of the importance of safeguarding human capital, widely recognized as the most valuable asset within any organization. Furthermore, the impressive compliance rate highlights the UAE’s progressive labor legislation and its emphasis on occupational health and safety standards.

MoHRE continues to educate both employers and workers on the importance of adhering to the midday work ban through regular field inspections. These inspections cover work sites and labor accommodations, helping to raise awareness of occupational safety requirements and protect workers from heat stress and sunstroke.

The UAE’s Midday Work Ban is a key pillar of the country’s labor legislation aimed at ensuring safe working environments during the intense summer heat. The regulation is designed to align with international occupational health and safety standards, minimizing the risk of heat-related injuries among the workforces.

Implementation period: June 15 to September 15 each year.

Ban hours: From 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM daily

Restricted activities: All outdoor work conducted under direct sunlight or in open areas exposed to high temperatures.

Companies operating in the UAE are mandated to adhere to several safety requirements during the enforcement period of the midday work ban, including:

Non-compliance with the midday work ban may result in severe penalties. Employers found violating the regulation are subject to a fine of Dh5,000 per worker, up to a maximum of Dh50,000 in cases involving multiple workers.

Additional penalties may include the suspension of the company’s labor file or downgrading its classification within the Ministry’s labor system, depending on the severity and recurrence of the violations.

Under the regulation, full accountability lies with the employer and any individual found employing workers in breach of the midday ban. However, the regulation does allow for exemptions in cases where technical reasons necessitate continuous work. In such cases, employers must still comply with all safety and health protocols, including:

This regulation reaffirms the UAE’s ongoing commitment to labor welfare and occupational safety, particularly during the extreme climate conditions of the summer season.