Muhammad Al-Nighaiss Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The Ministry of Labor will begin implementing its decision banning workers from toiling under the sun as well as organizing the work hours under the sun from Sunday, June 15. The ban will be in force till September 15. This ban is being implemented according to the ruling issued by Minister of Labor Adel Fakeih. In a statement, the Ministry of Labor said: “The amendment has come due to concern for workers' safety and health and for the interest of work due to the changes in the climatic conditions that might expose the workers to great risks. The ministry is working hard in providing a secure work environment that is safe from all occupational hazards, raising the level of efficiency and the means for prevention so as to prevent injuries and occupational diseases, protecting workers from accidents and increasing the level of production.” The ministerial decision stipulates that it is not permissible for a worker to toil under the sun from 12.00 noon to 3.00 p.m. from June 15 until September 15 every Gregorian year. When organizing working hours according to the rules of Articles 98, 99 and 100 of the Labor Regulation, the employer must take into consideration what has been mentioned in the first paragraph of this decision. Workers employed in oil and gas companies are exempt from this decision, as well as maintenance workers for emergencies provided the appropriate measures are taken to protect them from the harms of the sun's rays. Whoever violates this decision will be penalized, and the penalties mentioned in Article 236 of the labor regulation will be implemented against him – a fine of not less SR3,000 and not more than SR10,000 for each violation or closing down the facility for a period not exceeding 30 days, or it will be closed permanently. It is permissible to combine a fine and closure while stopping the source of danger. Several cleaning workers met by Okaz/Saudi Gazette Saturday afternoon said the maintenance companies they are working for will force them to work during these hours. They said nobody has informed them about this decision. They added that they work under the sun every day. Muhammad Mu'min, a worker, expressed fears that this decision might cause the company to decrease his salary, for working less hours.
