Laborers shielded from sun; ministry to enforce reduced Ramadan hours

RIYADH: To ensure the safety and welfare of workers, the Labor Ministry will implement its directive as of Monday prohibiting laborers from working when the sun is at its peak. In a statement released here Sunday, it said workers shall not work from noon to 3 p.m. from June 15 to Sept. 15. The ministry issues this memorandum every year during the peak summer season when temperatures rise sharply, exposing workers to the risk of sunstrokes. However, the ministry pointed out that the regulation exempts workers of oil and gas companies, as well as maintenance and emergency fields. Their companies will have to take precautionary measures. Meanwhile, the ministry will also monitor working hours — six for private sector and five for government sector — during the month of Ramadan. A ministry source said the Control and Investigation Commission and the Ministries of Labor and Civil Service will follow up on the commitment of these institutions to the provisions of Article 98 of the Labor Law, limiting working hours in private sector institutions to six hours, and five hours for the government sector. The source explained that the reduction in working hours during Ramadan is meant to ease working conditions during the fasting period.