Labourers leaving a worksite during the ban hours
53 firms violate summer work ban in Bahrain
Manama, July 16, 2014
Fifty-three companies will face legal action for violating Bahrain's summer work ban during its second week.
They were among 3,316 organisations inspected by Labour Ministry officials within the last seven days, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
It brings the total number of violators to 107, involving 398 workers, since the restriction was enforced on July 1.
Bahrain prohibits all outdoor work between midday and 4pm during July and August to protect the workforce from potentially fatal heat-related medical conditions.
"Last week, inspectors recorded 272 workers from 53 companies and, as per the law, their employers were referred for further action," Labour Ministry Under-Secretary Sabah Al Dossary told the GDN yesterday.
"This brings the total to 107 violations since July 1, with 398 employees involved.
"Inspectors visited 6,213 sites including construction sites and others, as we know the new labour law doesn't limit the ban to open sites.
"However, it is good to see the compliance percentage sticking to 98.3 at the end of two weeks, which is encouraging.
"We have seen similar statistics during the last week and we hope that employers who still violate the ban, take the law seriously and not end up paying the price."
The GDN had reported last week that 54 companies violated the ban during its first week. They were among 3,077 organisations that were visited by Labour Ministry inspectors.
Officials had said the first week recorded a 98.2 per cent compliance with the law.
Penalties for violating the work ban include fines ranging from BD500 ($1,318.8) to BD1,000, which is applicable to employers of domestic workers as well.
Al Dossary had also reiterated that companies were required to ensure non-Muslim staff get refreshments in private during Ramadan - particularly those who risk dehydration by working outdoors in high temperatures.
People are banned from eating and drinking in public during daylight hours in Bahrain. - TradeArabia News Service
