The annual midday work ban all over the United Arab Emirates comes into force in mid-June for all people whose jobs are outside. The decision, which is enforced every summer in the country, was issued by Nasser Bin Thani Al-Hamli, minister of human resources and emiratization. It requires all outside work to stop from 12.30 p.m. until 3 p.m., and for employees to be allowed to rest in a shaded place during the break, , state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday. The UAE has thousands of laborers who work outside on building sites, gardening and other lines of work and in the summer temperatures in the country regularly reach in excess of 40C. The ban restricts working hours for outdoor workers to eight hours -- any work over that should be compensated with overtime pay. The decision excludes jobs where, for technical reasons, work must continue non-stop, from the specified ban, provided that employers provide cool drinking water in accordance with the requirements of public safety and health. This should be supplemented by thirst-quenching items, such as salts, lemon etc as used by the local authorities. In addition, first-aid kits should also be available in the workplace. Strict adherence to all precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 must also be observed, the ministry said. Violators will be fined up to 50,000 dirham (approximately $13,600), according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. -- Agencies
