All work performed under direct sunlight and in open places shall not be allowed between the peak hours of 12.30 pm and 3 pm, from 15 June to 15 September of every year.

This decision aims to protect workers’ health and safety and to reduce risks they may face during the year’s hottest climate.

However, some workers are exempt from the mid-day break due to the technicality involved in their jobs, which include:

1. laying asphalt or pouring concrete, in the event where it is not feasible to postpone these tasks until after the break
2. urgent work necessary to prevent hazards or repairing failures that affect the public, such as water supply line disruptions
3. work that requires a permit from a relevant government authority to be implemented due to their impact on traffic flow or similar considerations.

Refer to Article 3 of Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022 and the mid-day work ban section in Administrative Decision No. 19 of 2023 relating to Occupational Safety and Health and Labour Accommodation (PDF, 334 KB) for more details on the mid-day work ban provisions.

Read awareness material from MoHRE relating to the mid-day break.

Read more about the 'Safety in heat' programme of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.