UAE Lottery brings cool relief to outdoor workers with air-conditioned bus shelters
Air-conditioned buses provide safe space during mandatory work stoppage
ABU DHABI – As summer temperatures continue to rise across the United Arab Emirates, The UAE Lottery has partnered with SmartLife Foundation to provide outdoor workers with a cooler and safer place to rest during the country's mandatory midday break.
The initiative aims to support those working in challenging conditions by offering relief from extreme heat. It also reinforces the importance of worker wellbeing during the hottest months of the year.
Cool Bus Shelter
Under the UAE's official Midday Break rule, outdoor work must stop daily between 12:30pm and 3pm to reduce the health risks associated with high temperatures. The Cool Bus Shelter initiative was designed to complement that measure by giving workers a comfortable environment where they could recover before returning to work.
Air-conditioned buses were stationed near labour sites, allowing workers to step away from the heat and spend their break in a cool, sheltered space. Volunteers from The UAE Lottery and SmartLife Foundation welcomed workers aboard with cold towels, chilled water and refreshing drinks, while creating a friendly atmosphere centred on appreciation and care.
To help workers stay comfortable after their break, portable rechargeable neck fans were also distributed, providing continuous airflow as they resumed outdoor duties in the summer heat.
Suzan Kazzi, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Momentum, The UAE Lottery, said outdoor workers play a vital role in the country's urban development and deserve recognition and care during the most demanding months of the year. She said the initiative was a gesture of gratitude while highlighting that worker wellbeing remains a priority.
Abhijeet Oak, Vice President at SmartLife Foundation, said protecting the wellbeing of outdoor workers is a shared responsibility. He added that partnerships with organisations such as The UAE Lottery help create meaningful moments of comfort, appreciation and human connection that leave a lasting impact.
The initiative forms part of The UAE Lottery's H.O.P.E. programme, which supports projects focused on health and wellbeing, opportunity creation and environmental protection through partnerships with organisations delivering tangible benefits across the UAE.