UAE's midday break for outdoor workers to begin on June 15

The mandatory policy aims to protect thousands of workers from the intense summer heat

The UAE's mandatory midday break for outdoor workers will come into operation on June 15. Christopher Pike/Bloomberg

The UAE's compulsory midday break for outdoor workers will come into force from June 15.

The mandatory scheme aims to protect workers from the peak of the searing summer heat as temperatures climb across the Emirates.

The policy prohibits people from carrying out work in open spaces between 12.30pm until 3pm and will remain in operation until September 15.

The initiative was first introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in 2004.

The law sets strict guidelines for employers to follow to ensure the safety of their workforce.

They must provide their employees with a shaded place to rest during their break and daily working hours, for morning, evening or both shifts, are not to exceed 8 hours.

If a member of staff works for longer than eight hours, it will be deemed as paid overtime.

The directive exempts jobs where work must continue non-stop from the ban, as long as employers provide cool drinking water for all staff along with thirst-quenching items such as salts and lemons and have first-aid kits readily available.

All workplaces must continue to adhere to safety measures in place to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Employers who flout the laws will be fined Dh5,000 per worker up to a maximum of Dh50,000.

Companies will be granted 30 days to appeal against any punishment.

Employers must place a schedule of the daily working hours in a prominent site in the workplace, and in addition to Arabic, the schedule must be written in the language, which workers understand.

The ministry urges members of the public to report any breaches of the regulations on 24-hour free hotline number number 80060.