UAE motorists concerned about gas station attendants working during summer heat

Abu Dhabi/Dubai: A splash of cold water on the face every now and then is the only way to beat the scorching summer heat for gas station attendants who work eight hours a day without a midday break.

Some motorists have raised concerns about their plight and asked the authorities whether they should introduce a shift system or the midday break for these attendants.

Hundreds of blue-collar workers were happy when the mid-day break rule for three hours began in July. The Ministry of Labour has made it compulsory for all construction companies.

Canopy

The gas station attendants spoke to Gulf News on condition of anonymity. A.N., a petrol pump attendant at an Adnoc petrol station in Abu Dhabi, said an Emirati, who saw their plight, offered a canopy for the attendants.

"The diesel pumps in the back row are in the open," he said.

The Emirati brought a canopy to the station, but the company did not have a provision to set it up, he said.

A.K., another attendant at an Eppco petrol station in Dubai said cold water was the only way to beat the scorching heat.

"Our eyes get red as we cannot put on dark glasses. The dusty winds are too much. "If there was some way to block the wind, we can cope with the heat," he said.

The attendants said they are the only ones who do not get salary increments every year.

S.M. an attendant in a Eppco petrol gas station in Sharjah said that there was no way they could take a rest as they are in public service.

"How can we take a break? Some of us feel a bit dizzy and exhausted because of the humidity," he said. Gas companies officials were not available for comment.