Monday, Jun 03, 2013
Dubai: The emirate’s Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs has issued guidelines for employers on how to protect labourers from the scorching summer heat in the run-up to the midday break rule.
Brigadier Obaid Muhair Bin Surour, Deputy Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, said that the labour committee will closely follow up the implementation of the midday break rule, which starts on June 15.
In a press conference at the labour committee offices in Al Aweer, Brigadier Bin Surour said that leaflets issued by the GDRFA states that workers should not be exposed to the sun during the hottest part of the day, 12.30pm to 2pm, although the midday break runs until 3pm.
Brigadier Bin Surour said the midday break rule will continue until September 15.
The labour committee has asked employers to provide machinery where possible to “eliminate manual efforts” as well as umbrellas to “avoid direct exposure to the sun’s rays”.
The midday break bars labourers from working outdoors, except for some selected emergency technical work, for a period of three months when the sun is at its peak. Last year the Ministry of Labour made 20,000 field visits along with 60,000 inspection visits to check the implementation of the midday break rule.
In the leaflet distributed to companies by the labour committee employers have been asked to be on the alert for any symptoms of heatstroke such as “fever, headache and nausea that may cause collapse, unconsciousness, fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, rashes, dehydration, shock and hallucinations”.
Also, employers have been asked to put up a work timetable in multiple languages at worksites, in addition to providing an ample amount of liquids for their employees and ensuring they wear light and loose-fitting clothes.
By Bassma Al Jandaly Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
