As temperatures rise across the UAE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is once again prioritizing worker safety with the return of the annual Midday Work Ban. Effective from June 15 to September 15, outdoor work and activities under direct sunlight will be prohibited daily between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
Now in its 22nd consecutive year, the initiative reflects the UAE’s long-standing commitment to occupational health and safety, ensuring that workers are protected from heat stress, dehydration, and other heat-related risks during the peak summer months.
Under the regulations, employers are required to provide shaded rest areas, cooling equipment such as fans, adequate drinking water, and other essential facilities to support worker wellbeing. The decision also ensures that workers have safe and comfortable spaces to rest during the hottest part of the day.
While the ban applies broadly across outdoor work sectors, certain essential activities may be exempt where work continuity is necessary for technical or public safety reasons. These include critical infrastructure repairs, emergency utility services, traffic-related projects, and specific construction activities such as asphalt paving and concrete pouring that cannot be postponed.
Companies found violating the regulations face strict penalties of AED 5,000 per worker, with fines reaching up to AED 50,000 for multiple violations. The effectiveness of the initiative is evident, with a remarkable 99% compliance rate recorded last year and the establishment of over 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations for delivery workers nationwide.
The annual ban continues to demonstrate the UAE’s dedication to creating safer workplaces while setting a global benchmark for protecting outdoor workers during extreme weather conditions.
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