MLSD Minister: The establishments' commitment to the decision enhances their productivity and protects them from the consequences of work injuries

20-06-2020

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has completed its preparations to supervise the implementation of Ministerial Resolution No. (39) of 2013, regarding the prohibition of working under sunlight and open places during the afternoon period from 12 noon until 4 pm in July and August, which aims to protect workers and ensure their safety from the risks of heat stress, sunstroke and various summer diseases and to reduce occupational accidents, during this period of the year that witnesses high temperatures and humidity levels in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The implementation of this resolution also comes in compliance with human rights principles, especially the right of workers to a safe and healthy work environment. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has launched an awareness campaign targeting employers and workers on the importance of adhering to the decision. This campaign includes providing employers with guidance leaflets, in addition to preparing brochures and advertisements in multiple languages to be understood by different nationalities working in the Kingdom of Bahrain. These brochures provide guidance and information on the impact of high temperatures on worker health and safety, as well as ensuring that institutions and companies operate in safe conditions without compromising worker productivity. In addition, virtual workshops are being held, given the current exceptional circumstances, targeting different categories of workers to promote a culture of health and safety in workplaces, especially during the summer. In a statement on this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is among the first countries to secure a safe and peaceful work environment, in order to ensure the safety of workers in various production sites. He pointed out that the implementation of the midday work ban is an effective decision that has contributed to reducing the risks of work during the summer season and making workers’ safety a top priority for employers, due to its humanitarian dimension and the incentive it provides for greater productivity through the redistribution of human effort and benefiting from the rescheduling of working hours, which has positively reflected on the productivity of establishments and has not affected the workflow and implementation of projects. Humaidan highlighted the importance of all establishments being prepared to implement this decision in order to achieve its humanitarian and economic objectives. He stressed in this context that educating workers about summer diseases and their prevention, and explaining the risks resulting from heat stress due to their exposure to sunlight during this period, in addition to providing comprehensive healthcare and first aid, and finding appropriate technical solutions that would reduce the degree of temperature and humidity, is a guarantee to avoid contracting these diseases and prevent potential injuries, especially in construction sites where the rate of occupational accidents is increasing. He stressed in this context that adhering to the work ban decision protects establishments from the economic cost of work-related injuries. His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, praised the commitment of private sector establishments to this decision over the past years, as the average compliance rate reached 98%, which reflects the extent of employers’ awareness of the contents of this decision and their keenness to adhere to it. He urged workers to adhere to it in order to create a work environment free from health risks and occupational diseases. He stressed at the same time that the Ministry will not be lenient in monitoring violations and that legal measures will be taken against violators, while emphasising that repeating the violation will double the penalty, in accordance with what is stipulated in the ministerial decision. He affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is continuing to enhance the protection of workers and provide a safe and peaceful environment in the work environment, as such an environment enhances the productivity of establishments and contributes to reducing economic risks due to human injuries that occur in the workplace. The ministerial decision on the prohibition of noon work stipulates that "anyone who violates the provisions of this decision shall be punished by the penalties stipulated in Article (192) of the Labour Law in the Private Sector, promulgated by Law No. (36) of 2012. It also stipulates that anyone who violates any of the provisions of Chapter (15) and the decisions issued in implementation thereof shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and a fine of not less than BD500 and not more than BD1000, or one of these two penalties."