19-06-2021

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has completed all preparations to supervise the implementation of Ministerial Resolution No. (3) of 2013, regarding the prohibition of working under direct sunlight and open places with high temperatures during the afternoon from 12 noon to 4 pm of July and August. This decision aims to protect workers and ensure their safety from the dangers of heat stress, sunstroke, and various summer diseases, as well as to reduce occupational accidents, particularly during this time of year when temperatures and humidity levels rise in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has launched an awareness campaign targeting employers and workers to emphasise the importance of adhering to this resolution. This campaign included providing employers with guidance leaflets, in addition to preparing brochures and advertisements in multiple languages that include instructions and information about the impact of high temperatures on the health and safety of workers while performing their duties. Virtual workshops were also held for occupational safety supervisors in private sector establishments to inform them of the latest developments and requirements for the prevention of summer diseases and occupational accidents. His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, indicated that the Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the pioneering countries in implementing occupational safety principles and requirements to foster a productive, safe work environment free of occupational accidents. He stressed that implementing the ban on afternoon work over the past years has significantly reduced the risk of work injuries, adding that the Ministry remains keen to ensure that ongoing projects carried out by institutions and companies are not impacted negatively and are completed on schedule. He pointed out that this resolution serves as an incentive for greater productivity by redistributing human effort and effectively rescheduling working hours during the day. Humaidan underlined the importance of establishments intensifying their efforts to educate workers about summer diseases and prevention methods, as well as highlighting risks arising from heat stress due to direct sunlight exposure during this period. He added that comprehensive health care, first aid, and suitable technical solutions must be provided to reduce temperature and humidity. In this context, Humaidan commended private sector establishments for their past compliance with this decision, while making clear that the Ministry will not hesitate to monitor violations and take legal action against offenders. The Ministerial Resolution on the prohibition of work during the afternoon 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.”