Midday work ban comes into force in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s labour ministry on Sunday began implementing a ban on outdoor work from noon until 3pm, vowing to crack down on hard on any companies found to be in violation.

It is hopes that thousands of workers, predominantly in the construction sector, will benefit from the scheme that is designed to shield them from excessive heat exposure that has in the past been linked to countless accidents and is seen as dangerous to health. Summer temperatures in Saudi Arabia can regularly climb above 50 degrees celsius. 

The ban will stay in place until September, expanding on last year’s pilot project which saw midday working banned in July and August, local daily Gulf News reported. 

All workers will be covered by the three-month ban, except those in the oil and gas sector and in emergency maintenance, the ministry said.

A zero-tolerance policy will be strictly followed to make sure all employers comply with the regulations and ban, the ministry said.

There are some nine million expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia, with foreigners accounting for about a third of the population. The vast majority of the expatriates are Asian workers who come to work on the Kingdoms booming construction sector. Human and labour rights groups have repeatedly condemned the harsh working conditions experienced by many of these foreign workers in the Gulf.

Violators will be fined up to 10,000 riyals ($2,670) for violating the new restrictions, the ministry added.