Ministry lists jobs exempted from midday break rule

(Wam) / 1 June 2013

The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has issued an administrative order specifying exemptions from the recently announced midday break rule for labourers who work in the sun. Workers can continue in banned hours if they are working on outdoor projects that cannot be postponed for technical reasons, such as repairing damages to water pipes, petrol pipes, sewage pipes, or on disconnected electrical lines, according to the new order issued by Undersecretary of the MoL Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri. The midday rule exemption also includes labourers working on projects licensed by governmental departments which could affect the movement of traffic if the work stopped for a few hours, or also that which could effect electricity or water supplies or telecommunication connection. Laying of asphalt and pouring concrete that are necessary to avert danger and damage, or repairing of casual emergency faults are also exempted. Employers are demanded to provide all facilities that cater to the health of workers including first aid, air-conditioners, sunshades and cold water. Inspections Companies will have to give a two-and-a-half hour break from 12.30pm to 3pm to labourers who work in open areas such as construction sites, according to the decision issued earlier this week by Minister of Labour Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash. The three-month midday break rule will be enforced from June 15 until September 15. Al Dhaheri said MoL inspectors will be deployed to monitor whether employers are complying with these measures. Last year, almost all private companies complied with the three-month midday break rule, the official added.