The heat is on

Next month we'll see the midday break reinstated in most GCC countries. Construction Week has always upheld good practice within the industry, and has been known to bang on about issues, often, getting into trouble.

But with temperatures creeping upwards each year, working in the afternoon sun is becoming increasingly dangerous, with serious health risks.

As you will read in this issue, some people feel that the UAE labour ministry's penalties for violations of the midday break aren't enough. But to be fair- the UAE did introduce the midday break five years ago.

Just like in any situation, constant improvements are what take us forward, and similarly, introducing a law without constant monitoring, enforcement and improvement, is only the road to redundancy.

As for the countries (Saudi Arabia and Oman) that haven't yet adopted, and adapted to, the higher standards in the region or climate change, it's going to get a little sweaty, especially with the financial situation not likely to get any better before next year.

Saudi Arabia, despite being hailed as the new construction magnate, will soon have to get its worker rights in order, if it wants to be the destination of choice for migrant labour from the Indian subcontinent. Unlike before, these workers have a whole range of choices now: the Asian market is still doing reasonably well with millions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects underway; the governments of labour supplying countries have begun to step in and demand rights for their workers; and the little extra money they can make here, quickly loses its value when weighed alongside 1) them having rights, 2) being with their families and 3) their being integrated into society.

As for Oman, the only time it gets a mention in most conversations, is when a quick summer getaway is being planned.

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but apart from affecting companies and the workforce, the financial crisis has also affected economies. Firms have tightened budgets, streamlined their workforce and bettered their organisational skills; workers have had to develop all-round in order to face stiff competition for jobs. But the only changes the regional governments seem to be making are those surrounding visa and immigration laws.

When the downturn ends and companies and economies need to grow their workforce again, the workers waiting on the sidelines will be better trained, more efficient and much wiser. They will know their rights and the decisions they make will revolve around them. Economies that protect their labour will stand to gain.

Conrad Egbert is the editor of Construction Week.

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