The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has confirmed that its Occupational Heat-Stress Prevention Policy will run for the 22nd consecutive year, prohibiting outdoor labour between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm daily throughout the summer. Companies violating the rule face fines of AED 5,000 per worker, up to AED 50,000 per site. Although primarily a worker-welfare measure, the ban carries practical implications for global-mobility teams overseeing construction, oil-and-gas or logistics assignments. Project timelines may need adjustment and expatriate staff should be briefed on permissible working hours to avoid compliance breaches. Employers must post bilingual awareness signs at job sites, provide shaded rest areas and ensure ready access to rehydration stations. The ministry will conduct spot inspections supported by smart-sensor reporting introduced last year, increasing the likelihood of enforcement. Businesses with cross-border operations can mitigate disruption by scheduling critical outdoor tasks for early morning or evening shifts and by reallocating resources to indoor worksites during the restricted window. The policy underlines the UAE’s commitment to aligning labour standards with international ESG expectations—an increasingly important factor for multinational clients assessing supply-chain risk.
Source: Al Khaleej
