70% more firms found flouting midday ban

Ministry of Labour inspectors caught 70 percent more construction firms violating the midday summer work ban compared to last year.

Official figures, reported by the National, showed that 677 firms were found breaking the law, which prevents staff working outside between 12.30-3pm between July and August, compared to 398 over the same period in 2008.

The increase in violations was due to more inspections being carried out, with 45,985 carried out last year, rising to 75,209 this year.

“We give high attention to the inspection sector due to its significant role in maintaining society’s sustainability and safety,” Humaid bin Deemas, the acting directing general of the Ministry of Labour, told the paper.

“Since we issued the midday break law five years ago, the inspection sector has witnessed significant growth every year, in order to ensure that we are meeting the labour market’s growing needs.”

Firms caught breaking the midday ban were fined AED10,000 ($2,725) and prevented from applying for new labour permits for three months.

Dubai had the most violations this year as well as the highest number of inspections, the paper said.

Inspectors found about 99 percent of firms across the UAE were abiding by the rules, compared to 75 percent when the law first came into force in 2005.