A total of 118 companies have been found violating Bahrain's summer ban during its first two weeks, a report said.

They will be forced to pay fines ranging between BD500 ($1,320) and BD1,000 for each worker found working on construction sites between midday and 4pm, according to the report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Labour Ministry inspectors have been out in force since the two-month ban started on July 1, which aims to protect workers from potentially fatal conditions such as heat stroke especially during the hottest months of the year.

They found a total of 137 workers employed by 118 companies working under the scorching heat despite the ban, said ministry Under-Secretary Sabah Al Dossary.

"Our team of inspectors conducted patrols across construction sites in Bahrain and found that a total of 118 companies violated the summer ban," he told the GDN yesterday.

"We have referred the list of violating companies to the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry to take appropriate action. According to the law, these companies have to pay fines ranging between BD500 to BD1,000 for each worker caught working by our labour inspectors."

Al Dossary said the team of inspectors visited different construction sites to ensure workers follow safety precautions and adhere to the rule, which will continue until August 31.

"In total, there were 5,171 inspections conducted since July 1 in different areas," he said.

"The positive side is that the success rate so far of the implementation of the midday ban has reached 97.72 per cent.

"This is a good sign and shows that companies are serious about the safety and well-being of their staff, which in the long run enhances their productivity and increase profits for these firms."

The ministry has already launched a national awareness campaign, targeting workers and employers, about the dangers of working under the sun.

The GDN reported on June 28 that ministry occupational safety section head Hussain Al Shami said the law had been amended to cover a larger segment of the workforce, not only construction workers but also other sectors such as labourers who fix air conditioning units or the people who put up street advertisements.

In addition it also covers those working in farms, contracting and roadworks. This is the seventh year the summer work ban has been enforced. – TradeArabia News Service