Labour inspectors in Bahrain recorded 25 violations in the first four days of the outdoor work ban during the hottest hours of summer.

A total of 979 organisations were inspected by the Labour Ministry between July 1 and 4, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Bahrain bans all outdoor work between midday and 4pm during July and August to protect workers from potentially fatal heat-related medical conditions.

Companies that ignore the rule are referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action.

“The compliance rate at the end of the first four days of the summer work ban is recorded at 97.4 per cent,” Labour Ministry Under-Secretary Sabah Al Dossary told the GDN.

“Labour inspectors conducted their routine random checks on 979 organisations and they recorded 25 violations.

“This involved 62 workers who were found working during the ban hours, mainly on outdoor worksites.

“The firms which violated the law have been referred to the Public Prosecution and will face legal action.”  

Al Dossary said any violation of the rules would not be accepted.

“We would like to send a message that violation of the summer ban will not be tolerated,” said Al Dossary.

“We urge all employers to abide by the ban, which aims to benefit both employers and workers.”

He said inspections covered all sectors, not only construction.

“With the new Labour Law in force since September 2012, the ban is applicable to all sectors and even to domestic workers,” he explained.

“But as we know, the inspectors do not have authority to go into houses to check so it is the responsibility of the public to notify us if they see any domestic workers working outside residences.

“There had been reports in the past that housemaids were seen working outside the house, like cleaning pavements and windows, during the ban hours which is a violation of the law.”

Al Dossary said violations by employers, including those of domestic workers, would carry fines ranging between BD500 ($1,317) and BD1,000. - TradeArabia News Service