Most companies in Abu Dhabi have complied with the midday break rule for outdoor workers, however 56 companies will be fine for non-compliance. Silvia Razgova / The National
Most companies in Abu Dhabi have complied with the midday break rule for outdoor workers, however 56 companies will be fine for non-compliance. Silvia Razgova / The National

56 companies found to have broken labourers’ summer midday break rule



DUBAI // Fifty-six companies have flouted the midday break law that bans labourers from working under direct sunlight during the hot summer months, the Ministry of Labour has said.

But a report from the ministry showed that 44,779 businesses had complied with the rule.

The rule specifies that labourers working in open areas should get a mandatory break from 12.30pm until 3pm from June 15 until September 15 and employers must provide a shaded area for workers to rest during that time.

This is the 10th year of the break rule and statistics show a growing compliance rate, said Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour.

The aim of the rule was to safeguard workers’ health and safety during extreme summer temperatures, he said.

“The number of visits by inspectors to work sites in various activities across the country amounted to 44,835, including 10,120 visits in Abu Dhabi; 13,040 in Dubai; 5,117 in Sharjah; 6,191 in Ajman; 1,748 in Ras Al Khaimah; 4,038 in Umm Al Quwain; and 4,581 in Fujairah,” Mr Al Dhaheri said.

The percentage of businesses that complied with the ministry’s directive in each emirate was as follows: Abu Dhabi, 99.97 per cent; Dubai, 99.83 per cent; Sharjah, 99.97 per cent; Ajman 99.92 per cent; Ras Al Khaimah, 98.63 per cent; while Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah scored 100 per cent, he said.

The department also carried out 18,142 visits to educate labourers about the importance of following safety instructions and to inform employers about the need to abide by labour laws.

Inspectors also distributed posters and brochures to spread awareness among labourers.

In line with the midday break rule, the ministry reiterated to employers that companies should stick to the eight-hour work-day schedule and reimburse labourers for working overtime.

Employers should also provide cold drinking water, salts, lemon and fresh salads to workers, as directed by UAE health authorities.

Companies that breach the midday break rule are fined Dh15,000.

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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Director: Rohit Shetty

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