UAE midday work ban returns June 15 to shield outdoor workers
Essential services continue under strictly defined safety exemptions
DUBAI – The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced the return of the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy for its 22nd consecutive year.
The measure will be enforced from June 15 to September 15, 2026, as part of efforts to protect outdoor workers during peak summer temperatures. During this period, work in direct sunlight and open areas will be strictly prohibited daily between 12:30pm and 3:00pm.
The policy is a core component of the UAE’s occupational health and safety framework and reflects its continued focus on safeguarding labour welfare while maintaining productivity across key sectors.
Key timings
The midday work ban applies uniformly across the country and is observed every day throughout the summer enforcement period. All outdoor and sun-exposed work must pause from 12:30pm to 3:00pm, when temperatures typically reach their peak. The restriction covers construction sites, industrial zones and other open-air workplaces.
The policy has become a long-standing annual measure, designed to reduce heat-related illnesses and ensure safer working conditions during the hottest months of the year, while allowing work to resume once temperatures begin to ease later in the afternoon.
Exemptions
Certain activities are exempt from the restriction where work continuity is essential for technical or public interest reasons. These include asphalt laying and concrete pouring when interruption or postponement is not feasible. Emergency operations to restore or maintain essential services such as water supply, electricity networks and traffic systems are also permitted.
In addition, projects requiring approvals from competent authorities due to their impact on public movement or safety may continue during restricted hours. Even in exempt cases, employers are required to ensure worker safety through protective arrangements at the site.
Employer duties
Companies must provide shaded rest areas for workers during breaks or permitted activities carried out under exemption conditions. Adequate cooling equipment, including fans, must be made available along with sufficient drinking water and hydration supplements such as salts and other approved solutions.
First-aid kits and basic comfort facilities are mandatory at all worksites to manage heat-related risks. MoHRE monitors compliance through smart inspection systems, field campaigns and awareness programmes.
Violations of the midday break rules can result in fines of Dh5,000 per worker, reaching up to Dh50,000 in cases involving multiple breaches. Members of the public may report violations through the MoHRE call centre on 600 590000, its official website or smart application.