The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) confirmed that the annual midday work ban—prohibiting outdoor labour between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm—concluded on 15 September after a 92-day summer run. Preliminary inspections show compliance above 99 per cent, the highest since the policy’s launch in 2005. The regulation primarily protects construction and logistics workers, many of whom are expatriates from South Asia and Africa. Employers must provide shaded rest areas, hydration stations and first-aid kits, and maintain emergency plans for heatstroke incidents. Exemptions apply only to tasks that cannot be halted, such as asphalt laying or urgent utility repairs. International assignment managers should note that the UAE treats heat-stress prevention as a non-negotiable occupational-safety pillar. Violations attract fines up to AED 50,000 and possible work-site closures—penalties that apply equally to local firms and foreign contractors operating under short-term permits. Although the ban has ended, MoHRE encourages companies to retain certain safeguards, especially as high humidity persists into early October. Businesses deploying foreign specialists to field sites should continue toolbox talks on hydration, confirm on-site medical coverage and record acclimatisation periods for newly arrived staff. The success of the 2026 campaign bolsters the UAE’s reputation among international observers as a destination that balances economic growth with labour-welfare standards—an increasingly important factor for ESG-minded multinationals.
Source: Gulf News
