MLSD Minister: The noon work ban reflects Bahrain's commitment to preserving and protecting the workforce
15-07-2021
His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain has made great strides in enhancing the safety and health of all workers at production sites through a series of legislation and measures designed to develop occupational safety and health systems and create a safe working environment. This commitment, grounded in the Kingdom’s principles of protecting human rights—especially those of the working class—has placed Bahrain among the leading countries in workforce protection and earned it the international community's respect. He stressed that Ministerial Resolution No. (3) of 2013, which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open areas from 12:00 to 16:00 during July and August, is entirely consistent with international labour standards in providing the necessary protection for workers. This came in a statement by His Excellency the Minister after a surprise field visit to a number of construction work sites, which he conducted with a number of officials and occupational safety supervisors at the Ministry, on Thursday afternoon, to review the extent of the concerned establishments’ commitment to implementing the decision. During the visit, he met with a number of work site supervisors and reviewed the measures taken by their establishments at the sites to ensure a safe and sound work environment for workers, and to improve the efficiency and means of prevention to reduce occupational injuries. Humaidan praised companies’ and institutions’ adherence to the midday work‑ban decision, noting that Ministry inspectors have conducted 3,344 site visits since the measure took effect at the beginning of July. Only fifteen establishments were found in breach—an incidence rate of no more than 0.4 per cent—and the number of offending workers stood at twenty‑six. He underscored the importance of sustaining this commitment, highlighting both the decision’s humanitarian dimension and the productivity gains realised by compliant establishments. The decision has also fostered a culture of rescheduling work each year, shifting tasks away from periods of extreme heat and humidity and reallocating them to cooler hours, such as the early morning. This approach boosts facility productivity and enables projects to be completed on schedule. Safeguarding workers’ health and safety remains a paramount value, as the measure plays a direct and tangible role in protecting them from summer illnesses, heat stress, sunstroke and heat exhaustion caused by midday heat and humidity. Compliance with the decision has increased annually, exceeding 98 per cent in recent years. The ministerial decision stipulates that anyone who violates the provisions of this decision shall be punished with the penalties set out in Article (192) of the Private Labour Law, promulgated by Law No. (36) of 2012, which provides for imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine of not less than five hundred dinars and not more than one thousand dinars, or either of these penalties.