๐ What Is the Midday Work Ban?
Every year, the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) enforces a Midday Work Ban to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. This ban prohibits outdoor work from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, starting June 15 and lasting until September 15.
Introduced in 2004, the rule is one of the UAEโs most robust health and labor safety measures, aligned with international human rights and climate adaptation goals.
๐ Key Dates for 2025
- Start Date: June 15, 2025
- End Date: September 15, 2025
- Daily Ban Hours: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM
- Applicable Areas: All emirates of the UAE
- Target Sector: Outdoor labor across construction, delivery, cleaning, agriculture, etc.
โ ๏ธ Penalties for Non-Compliance
The MoHRE conducts surprise inspections during the ban period.
If a company violates the ban:
- Fine: AED 5,000 per worker Maximum
- Penalty: Up to AED 50,000 for multiple violations
- Possible Suspension: Company license may be suspended in repeated or severe breaches
๐ข MoHRE has an anonymous reporting feature via hotline and app.
๐ท Who Is Exempt?
While the ban covers most outdoor work, critical sectors are granted exceptions under strict conditions:
- Emergency and disaster recovery teams
- Utility repair workers (electricity, water, gas)
- Oil and gas industry operations
- Certain transport and logistics sectors
๐งพ Exempt employers must provide shaded rest areas, water, and electrolytes.
๐ง What Employers Must Do
- Provide shaded rest areas
- Ensure hydration and first aid access
- Schedule high-effort tasks outside banned hours
- Educate workers about heatstroke and first-aid
- Log all work schedules during the period
๐ฑ Tech for Compliance
Many UAE firms now use smart scheduling apps and wearable heat-monitoring devices to:
- Detect heat stress risks
- Reassign tasks in real time
- Send midday alerts to managers and workers
๐ This innovation aligns with the UAEโs Vision 2031 for a tech-forward and humane labor market.
๐ฃ๏ธ Why This Matters
The UAE Midday Work Ban is more than just a policy โ itโs a commitment to human dignity, climate resilience, and sustainable labor practices. As the region faces rising temperatures, these rules become crucial not only for survival but for long-term economic and ethical progress.