By Staff Reporter
The UAE’s annual midday work ban will take effect on June 15, 2026, as authorities step up efforts to protect outdoor workers from extreme summer temperatures.
Announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the ban prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air areas between 12:30pm and 3:00pm daily. The regulation will remain in force until September 15.
Now in its 22nd consecutive year, the initiative is aimed at safeguarding workers’ health and reducing heat-related illnesses and injuries during the hottest months of the year.
Under the regulations, employers must provide suitable shaded rest areas, cooling equipment such as fans, and sufficient drinking water and hydration supplies for employees working outdoors.
Certain activities will be exempt from the ban where work cannot be postponed due to technical or public service requirements. These include asphalt paving, concrete pouring, emergency maintenance of essential services such as water and electricity networks, traffic-related repairs, and projects that require special permits from government authorities.
Companies found violating the midday work ban will be fined Dh5,000 for each worker involved, with penalties reaching a maximum of Dh50,000 in cases involving multiple workers.
According to the ministry, compliance with the regulation remains high. During last year’s Heat Stress Protection campaign, authorities recorded a 99 per cent compliance rate among companies. The campaign also provided more than 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations equipped with essential amenities for delivery riders across the UAE.
The midday work ban remains one of the UAE’s key labour protection measures, reflecting the country’s commitment to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for all workers during the summer season.
