For the twentieth year in a row, the United Arab Emirates is enforcing a rule that bans outdoor work in direct sunlight and open areas. This decision will start on Saturday and will be in effect from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. This convention is a key part of the country’s labor regulations. Its goal is to guarantee that workplaces adhere to health and safety standards and are safe. By doing this, it helps prevent workers from getting hurt or suffering damage because of working in very hot temperatures during the summer months.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is dedicated to confirming the protection and well-being of workers during the scorching summer months in the UAE. To protect laborers from the extreme heat, the ministry has implemented a midday break rule. This rule prohibits outdoor work under direct sunlight and in open areas from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
To uphold this regulation, the ministry has established a hotline where anyone can report violations. The hotline operates from Monday to Saturday, offering assistance in multiple languages from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Additionally, reports can be submitted through the MoHRE’s smartphone app, making it convenient for community members to notify authorities of any breaches.
Employers who fail to adhere to the midday break rule face financial penalties. They are fined AED 5,000 for each worker affected by the violation. In cases where multiple workers are involved, the maximum penalty can reach up to AED 50,000. These measures aim to ensure a safe working environment and prevent workers from health risks associated with excessive heat exposure.
The Ministry has announced a plan to set up 6,000 rest stations for delivery workers all over the UAE. On this project, they are collaborating with both public and private organizations. These stations will be marked on an interactive map so that workers can find them easily during the Midday Break. This helps ensure that workers have a place to rest and stay cool during the hottest part of the day.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), along with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE economic development departments, and big delivery companies like Talabat, Deliveroo, Noon, and Careem, are working together on a new plan. This plan aims to improve the health and safety of delivery workers.
They’re setting up many rest areas across different places where deliveries are made. These areas will be in restaurants, shopping malls, retail stores, and cloud kitchens. This effort builds on last year’s initiative to protect workers from getting too hot during the midday break hours. The goal is to give workers more places to rest and stay safe from the heat.
MoHRE has introduced a new version of the electronic system for registering labor accommodations. This system is the first national platform for recording where workers live. It’s being rolled out to companies across the UAE to educate them about housing standards and ensure they follow the Ministry’s rules and those of its government partners who oversee worker housing.
The goal of this system is to improve the lives and health of workers in the UAE by making sure their accommodations meet high standards.
MoHRE has advised companies with 50 or more employees to arrange accommodation for their workers using approved systems. They should register all necessary information on the website through the Labour Accommodation System under the ‘Services’ section. This follows Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, which focuses on ensuring occupational health and safety, as well as proper living conditions for workers.
By the end of 2023, the private companies in UAE showed a significant increase, with 1000% more companies meeting the standards for worker accommodations set by Ministerial Decision No. 44 of 2022.
The UAE provides support to workers through various social protections. These include Unemployment Insurance, which offers financial assistance for up to 3 months if someone loses their job. There’s also a “Saving Scheme” to ensure workers receive their end-of-service benefits, and systems are in place to protect wages and promote occupational health. These efforts create a safe workplace and ensure that workers receive their rightful financial benefits.
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