RIYADH – The director of the Ministry of Labor's inspectors said the ratio of companies and establishments that have adhered to a decision banning work in open areas under the hot sun is high compared to those who flouted the ban. This is according to the reports of labor offices throughout the Kingdom, said Faisal Al-Otaibi. During the past few weeks, the labor offices detected 24 violations during 74 inspection tours. Al-Otaibi said the ministry would not be lenient with the violating firms that signed pledges during inspection tours that they would rectify their shortcomings. The ministry warned that it would take necessary measures against them according to the rules outlined in the Labor Law, which stipulates a fine of at least SR3,000 and not more than SR10,000 for each violation, closure of the firm for a period not exceeding 30 days or shutting it down permanently. The inspection campaigns started since the beginning of July and will continue until Aug. 28. This is in implementation of the ministerial decision that states that it is impermissible to make an employee work from noon until 3 p.m. in July and August, the peak summer months in the Kingdom. Workers in oil and gas companies are exempt as well as maintenance workers needed for emergency cases. However, the necessary measures need to be taken for their protection from the sun. The Ministry of Labor adopted a series of steps to enforce the ban, including awareness campaigns. The ministry also allocated the telephone number 920001173 to receive complaints. Meanwhile, spokesman of the Ministry of Labor Hattab Al-Enizi ruled out the possibility of the ministry creating new rules at present regarding the inspection of female expatriate workers in private sector firms, as instances of women working illegally are still occurring. The reason is that violating female workers exploit the special protection given to women in society. Also, it is difficult to identify a woman if she is veiled, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported.
