Heat takes its toll on labourers

Dubai: Many workers left without appropriate resting places are not able to escape the heat of July and August despite the enforcement of the midday break rule, leaving them subject to the risks of heat.

The Ministry of Labour has issued a decision that stipulates a compulsory midday break in July and August between 12.30pm to 3pm to protect the workers from these risks and enforced penalties on companies not adhering to the rule.

Rolando, a Filipino worker, said he wished that his company would provide an appropriate resting room for them. "The heat gets to you even if you are not working as it is very hot and we have no place to rest away from the heat," he said.

Jayram, an Indian, said it was good to get a midday break but the fact that they are not provided a rest place makes the break less effective. "We would have been more energetic if we did not need to rest in the heat," he said.

Adonis, a Filipino worker who was standing with another 16 workers in a 2 by 2 metre spot that had a wooden board on top, said: "We have to spend our break standing and cramped in a small place to have some shade. Many of us get ill because of this."

The lack of appropriate resting rooms at sites and the unwillingness of many companies to transport the workers back to their accommodation have forced many workers to resort to the streets in search of cool places. Workers are now found sleeping on the grass in islands, in buildings under constructions or beside air vents outside buildings to escape the heat.

Amir Khan, a Pakistani worker, said it was crucial to have a cool place to rest during the break as many workers come and sit under the trees in the islands as if they were homeless. "Every day during this time you will find some 30 workers just sleeping under the trees as they have no other option," he said, adding that he had asked his company to provide a place to rest but they refused.

Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi, Minister of Labour, had earlier told Gulf News that the ministry is discussing a plan to make companies set up air-conditioned rest rooms at construction sites.

"There is a plan to set up air-conditioned resting rooms. However, we need to discuss it thoroughly with municipalities to bring about the proposal, something that will take time," said Dr Al Ka'abi.