Since its inception, the UAE has adopted the principles of respect for human rights, including workers’ rights, based on its values, its authentic social and cultural heritage, its constitution and its legislative system, which promote and protect workers’ rights as a national priority.
In this context, since last Saturday, June 15, 2024, the decision to ban performing work in open spaces and under the sun’s rays came into effect, between 12:30 noon and 3:00 p.m., until next September 15. This approach, which has been applied for the twentieth year in a row, has become one of the basic foundations of regulating the labor market in the country. It aims to provide a safe work environment that meets the best occupational health and safety practices and requirements, thus avoiding the workforce from injuries and damages that may result from working at high temperatures during the summer months.
Mohsen Al-Nasi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for Inspection Affairs, said, “Implementing the noon work ban has become an established culture among the business community and private sector companies in the country,” adding that “the level of companies’ commitment to implementing the ban over the past years expresses the extent of awareness, partnership, and depth.” Social responsibility and private sector companies’ compliance with legislation related to worker protection and safety.”
The provisions of the decision take into account ensuring the continuation of work in a way that serves the objectives of the public interest, as it stipulates the exception of some work in which it is necessary to work without interruption for technical reasons or for the utmost exceptional necessity in some vital sectors. Companies are also obligated to provide shaded places for workers during the curfew months to protect them from the sun’s rays during the period of cessation of work, or while they are practicing licensed work, and to provide them with appropriate cooling equipment, drinking water, and other amenities, in addition to first aid equipment in the workplace. It should be noted that the implementation of this decision began in 2005 with a ban on working at noon for two months, and increasing the ban period to three months reflects the continued development of labor protection measures.
It is also worth noting here that the UAE has joined and ratified many of the main agreements in the International Labor Organization, and has concluded agreements and memorandums of understanding with the countries to which workers belong to ensure that they obtain their rights and provide the most suitable work environment for them. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation monitors the extent of companies’ compliance with the noon work ban through inspection tours, receiving reports from community members about any wrong practices or violations, and applying fines against violating companies.
High rates of compliance with this decision are recorded annually, exceeding 99%, on the part of companies and institutions operating in the country, which reflects a general sense of responsibility on the part of these bodies, in addition to firmness in taking measures against violators. Such best practice comes in a related context with many decisions and laws approved by the UAE, which are flexible, modern and provide means of protection and care for workers, such as ensuring safe and decent housing, adopting wage protection systems, leave laws, occupational safety insurance systems, and providing programs. Comprehensive guidance, awareness, and other initiatives.
The state’s efforts in this regard included delivery service workers in its various regions, as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation cooperated with government and private agencies in this regard, and announced an increase in the sites designated for rest for these workers from 356 stations in 2023 to 6,000 stations in 2024, and the availability of an interactive map. These rest rooms will enable workers to access them with ease, during the specified curfew period. The implementation of the noon work ban reflects the extent of the UAE’s interest in providing the best conditions to maintain the safety of workers and protect them from any negative influences, and provides a practical example of the development of the system of legislation and laws that guarantee the safety and health of workers in the UAE, and their application has become entrenched, until it has become a tangible societal culture.
* Issued by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
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