The Labour and Social Development Ministry has completed all preparations for the implementation of the ministerial edict 39/ 2013, on banning outdoor afternoon work which begins in July and runs until the end of August.
The annual ban, prohibiting outdoor work from midday to 4pm during July and August months, aims to safeguard workers’ health, ensure their safety against heat exhaustion and sunstroke, as well as prevent summer-related diseases and reduce occupational incidents in view of the increasing temperatures and humidity, in line with the kingdom’s commitment to human rights principles, especially regarding the need to provide secure and healthy work environment.
The Labour Ministry has embarked on an awareness-raising campaign, urging employers and workers to comply with the provisions of the edict. it also held a virtual workshop to inform private sector institutions’ health and safety supervisors about the requirements to protect workers from summer-related diseases and occupational accidents.
In a statement, Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed that 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, noting 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 air, as well as find ways to reduce exposure to heat and humidity.
The minister praised 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.
Under Article (192) of Law 36 of 2012 promulgating the Labour Law in the Private Sector, a jail term not exceeding three months, and/or a BD500-BD1000 fine, is the penalty inflicted on violators.