June 4, 2025 | Abu Dhabi- Outdoor work ban in UAE is scheduled to be implemented from June 15, 2025, and will continue until September 15, 2025. This initiative, now in its 21st year, prohibits outdoor work from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm to protect workers from the scorching heat. According to this rule implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre), the working hours during this period should not exceed eight hours.
If an employee works for additional hours, they will get additional payment for overtime. To ensure compliance with this ban, Mohre will inspect and monitor the Outdoor Work Ban in UAE. If an employer is found to be violating this rule, they will be fined 5,000 dirhams per employee, and if several employees are involved, a fine of up to 50,000 dirhams can be imposed.
Employer Responsibilities Under the Outdoor Work Ban in UAE
Employers will have to make some special arrangements to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. It includes:
- Arrangements of shady places to relax during restricted hours.
- Refrigeration equipment, such as fans, is provided so that employees can get relief.
- Hydration supplements, such as adequate drinking water and electrolytes, are approved by local authorities.
- First aid kit at the work site.
The purpose of these measures is to prevent heat-related diseases and ensure a safe task environment for employees in the summer months. This will not only help in maintaining their work capacity but will also protect their health. Apart from this, employers also have to take care that the workers do not have any kind of inconvenience at the workplace, and they have the opportunity to work without worrying about their health.
Exemptions to the Outdoor Work Ban in UAE
Some tasks are kept out of the scope of the ‘Outdoor Work Ban in UAE’, including:
- At such a time, it is not possible to do the work of laying asphalt or pouring concrete later.
- Emergency repair work is associated with public utilities like water or electricity.
- Work for which permission is to be obtained from the concerned government authority, as they have a direct impact on public services.
Even under these circumstances, employers have to ensure the safety of employees, including:
- Cold drinking water.
- Hydrating foods are approved by the local authority.
- Facilities for first aid.
- Industrial cooling and shady resting place.
These provisions are extremely important for maintaining the health and safety of the employees working in the hot hours of the afternoon. This helps the employees to complete the necessary tasks safely during the summer.
Enforcement and Penalties
Mohre (Ministry of Human Resources and Emirates) will inspect and monitor the Outdoor Work Ban in UAE to ensure compliance. Employers who are found violating this rule will be fined AED 5,000 per employee. If the violation is about several employees, the fine can be up to a maximum of AED 50,000. The residents have been encouraged to call Mohre’s call center at 600590000 and report violations through the website or the smart application. The Ministry has recorded more than a 99% compliance rate in recent years, which shows the success of this initiative and steps taken towards ensuring the good of the UAE in the summer months.
The Outdoor work ban in UAE is a very important step, which has been applied to protect employees from acute heat during summer. Employers are required to fully follow this rule, including providing necessary facilities and not allowing them to work directly during the restricted time. With strict monitoring and a high compliance rate, this initiative plays an important role in protecting the health and safety of external workers in the UAE. This prevents employees from the risks of heat, and they are able to work in a safe environment.
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