Qatar companies reminded not to flout midday work ban
Qatar companies reminded not to flout midday work ban
As sweltering summer temperatures approach, Qatari authorities are reminding employers of laws prohibiting lengthy morning work hours.
2 min read
The midday work aims to protect outdoor labourers from the heat of the sun [AFP]
Authorities in Qatar have started warning employers to observe special working hours that are enforced to protect the health of workers between June 15 and August 31.
Issued by ministerial decree in 2007, the adjusted hours
prevent outdoor labourers from logging more than five hours of work in the mornings. This law is enacted to protect workers from the blazing heat of the midday sun.
According to Doha News, Qatar's Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs has also said that no work can be performed between 11:30am and 3:00pm during the summer months.
Furthermore, employers are expected to post amended working schedules so that staff are fully aware of the changes.
Qatar, which is currently experiencing a $200 billion construction boom ahead of the 2020 World Cup, has stepped up enforcement of the ban in recent years. Companies found guilty of flouting the ban can face up to one month of enforced closure.
With temperatures having already exceeded 40 degrees Celcius in May, some employers have started conforming to the ban's rules ahead of time, according to Doha News.
This year, lobbyists have also campaigned for the law to be enforced earlier, however this has not been met with universal success.
Current temperatures in the oil-rich state are hitting above 30 degrees each day. In peak summer season, however, they can soar up to 50 degrees Celsius, or beyond if the Heat Index is taken into account, posing serious threats to health and safety in the country.
Earlier this month, a four-year-old British girl died in Qatar after reportedly being left in a car for several hours.
Safety first
As Qatar rushes to ready itself to host the 2020 World Cup, it is possible that restrictions on working hours may affect tight construction deadlines.
For this reason, many employers are waiting until the official date of June 15 to begin restricting working hours.
Having come under fire for its treatment of migrant workers, Qatar has stepped up efforts in recent times to ensure that abuses do not continue.
Last month, the president of football's world governing body, FIFA, visited Qatar and announced plans to set up a monitoring body to oversee working conditions at World Cup stadium sites.
