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This mandatory law gives outdoor workers a 3-hour respite during the summer seasons
15 June 2019
| Last updated on 18 June 2019
Outdoor staff are not allowed to work for nearly 3 hours in the afternoon
As summer temperatures in the UAE reach an egg-cooking high, labourers will be able to enjoy a midday break from June 15 until September 15, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation since 2004.
The directive calls for a nation-wide prohibition of outdoor work between 12:30PM and 3PM, providing workers with the necessary protection and relief from outdoor work.
In accordance with this decision, employers must provide shaded and air-conditioned areas for staff to rest in and are required to give first aid and water during the break.
See also: How To Stay Healthy While At Work
Summers in the UAE can reach as high as 48°C, with humidity levels hitting as high as 70 – 90%, according to the National Centre of Meterology.
Violators can be fined DHS15,000
Companies that are found not adhering to this law will be fined DHS5,000 per person working during the break hours. A DHS15,000 fine can be slapped on violation cases involving multiple staff.
Shifts for outdoor workers cannot exceed more than 8 hours. Should employees be required to work overtime, the company must compensate them as per the Regulation of Labour Relations or the ‘’Employment Law’’.
Working overtime outdoors?
Outdoor staff who are working for more than 8 hours must receive incentives.
According to Article 67 of the Employment Law:
"Where the work circumstances require a worker to work more than the normal number of hours, any period worked in excess shall be treated as overtime, for which the worker shall receive the wage stipulated for his normal working hours, plus a supplement of at least 25 per cent of that wage."
During this time, companies are obliged to display a clear and concise schedule of the labourers’ daily working hours in languages the staff understands as well as in Arabic and English.
