UAE Announces Midday Break For Outdoor Workers

The United Arab Emirates is all set to begin implementing the midday break in the country. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced on Friday that work under direct sunlight and in open-air areas across the UAE will be prohibited between 12:30 and 3:00 pm. It is to be noted that this policy will be implemented from June 15 until September 15, 2024.

This initiative, which is considered a cornerstone of the UAE's labour market legislation, is being implemented for the 20th consecutive year. MoHRE mentioned in its statement that the initiative aims to provide a safe working environment as it protects workers against injuries that may result from working in high temperatures during the summer months.

By conducting inspection tours, the Ministry will monitor the level of compliance with the midday break among companies. Firms violating this policy will face fines of AED5,000 for each worker operating during the midday break hours and up to a maximum of AED50,000 for multiple workers. Awareness campaigns and field visits to work sites will also be launched to educate employers and workers about the importance of complying with this policy.

At the same time, certain jobs that require work to continue uninterrupted are exempt from the midday break policy. Works related to water supply or electricity, cutting off traffic, laying asphalt or pouring concrete on road works, and other major issues with basic services will be exempted from this policy. Meanwhile, employers are required to provide parasols and shaded areas for workers during the midday break or while performing their exempted jobs. Adequate cooling devices, such as fans, sufficient drinking water, hydrating materials, and other amenities, should also be provided by employers on the job sites.