Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009

Dubai: Workers will be able to file anonymous complaints with the Ministry of Labour if they are forced to work during the midday break, which starts today, said a senior official.

The midday break rule puts a halt to outdoor work from 12.30 to 3pm, and is aimed at giving workers a respite from the soaring heat of July and August.

Humaid Bin Deemas, Acting Director General at the Ministry, told Gulf News that workers will be able to file a complaint by telephoning the ministry's hotline (800665) if they are forced to work during the break and their identity will not be revealed.

"One of the main objectives of the ministry's strategy is to remove all obstacles between the workers and their rights and therefore we are working on such proactive initiatives which would allow workers to complain about violations without fearing any repercussions," said Bin Deemas.

The complaints will be referred to the labour inspectors, after which investigations will be carried out.

"I will personally supervise the complaints to make sure that each and every complaint is studied carefully," said Bin Deemas.

The ministry's inspection team has been expanded to 435 as 134 inspectors took the oath in front of Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, in Dubai yesterday.

Companies which do not comply with the rule will face a fine of up to Dh30,000 and have a ban of up to one year on obtaining work permits.

The midday break rule was first implemented in 2005 as per a cabinet decision that stipulated all outdoor work should come to a halt between 12.30 and 4.30pm during the hottest months of July and August.

In the following year the break was reduced by an hour and a half, but the Ministry of Labour cracked down on companies that did not abide by the rule. Since 2006 the break has been fixed from 12.30 to 3pm.

Heat exhaustion cases have dropped significantly since the implementation of the decision.

While there was an average of 5,000 cases a month in 2004, the cases dropped to 1,500 in 2005. Cases dropped to a record low in 2007 when 82 cases and two deaths were registered.

Last year 68 cases of heat exhaustion and one death were registered.

By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter

© Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.

 

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