102 firms in breach of break rule

UAE companies are to pay more than Dh 1 million in fines for violating the midday break rule, Gulf News reports today.

Ministry of Labour statistics say nearly 102 companies have been caught violating the rule in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in the 13 days since it was implemented.

The rule stipulates that outdoor workers should break between 12.30 to 3pm during July and August.

Eisa Al Zarouni, deputy head of the investigation unit said “one of the companies was caught violating the rule twice and thus had to pay a Dh20,000 fine the second time.”

Al Zarouni said some workers had been found resting in residential buildings to escape the heat as their company had failed to provide them with appropriate resting places.

"Companies have to provide appropriate onsite resting rooms during the midday break or provide them transport back to the labour accommodation," he said.

Dubai accounted for 20% of the total number of violations, with the majority taking place in the Northern Emirates. The largest number was in Ajman, where 29 companies were caught, followed by Ras Al Khaimah which registered 26 cases.

All companies were downgraded to category C, with those already in category C having transactions stopped for three months.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Midday Ban
Posted by Neil, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 11:00 UAE time

I agree with Mike. It is a crying shame and most of all, downright inhumane! Let those erring companies be shamed like the speeders & traffic signal violators are shamed in the newspapers by publishing their details.

Further more, just as there are the "Quality Awards", there should be "Shame Award" for all to see. Just paying a fine, does not compensate for the disregard of ethics & violation of basic human rights!

SUMMER BREAK
Posted by mike pickup, dubai, uae on Monday 16 July 2007 at 08:00 UAE time


SO WHERE IS THE NAME AND SHAME? WHERE IS THE LIST OF COMPANIES BREAKING THE LAW ? HOW DO CLIENTS & DEVELOPERS SELECT RESPONSIBLE EMPLLYERS [ GOOD CONTRACTORS] UNLESS WE KNOW THE BAD ONES ?

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