Bahrain has announced that a two-month long ban on work under direct sunlight and in open places across the kingdom and commenced on July 1, reported BNA.
The ban, which will run from midday until 4 pm, is aimed at protecting workers from heat stress and sunstroke and ensuring their safety during the hottest months of the year, stated the report citing the Ministry of Labour.
The summer work ban has been in force since 2013 following an edict issued by Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan and has seen a 98 per cent compliance rate over the last few years.
The Ministry has embarked on an awareness-raising campaign, urging everyone to comply with the provisions of the edict.
It also distributed brochures, multilingual leaflets and posts that include instructions and information on the impact of high temperatures on workers’ safety and health while performing their duties.
It also informed private sector institutions’ health and safety supervisors about the requirements to protect workers from summer-related diseases and occupational accidents, said the report.
The ministry has warned against employers choosing to ignore the ban.
“Whoever violates the provisions of this decision shall be punished with penalties stipulated in Article (192) of the Private Sector Labour Law, which states that violators would face imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months, and a fine of not less BD500 ($1,318) and not more than BD1,000 ($2,636),” the ministry said in a statement.
Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan lauded the private sector companies’ compliance with the ban over the past years, which, he said, proves the employers’ commitment to ensuring a safe and decent work environment for employees, pledging zero-tolerance against violators.
“Bahrain is a leader in ensuring secure and safe work environment for workers, out of its keenness on their safety and health at various production sites,” stated Ali Humaidan, adding that the implementation of outdoor afternoon work ban is the best means to achieve that goal.
He called on private institutions to step up their efforts to raise workers’ awareness about summer diseases, highlight the risks of overworking under summer heat, provide health care and first aid, as well as find ways to reduce exposure to heat and humidity, reported BNA.
The minister pointed out that work at the existing projects will not be affected by the ban as companies will reschedule the work timings during the ban.
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