Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE
As the UAE swelters through another intense summer, workers who spend their days outdoors have a legal protection designed to keep them out of the harshest midday heat.
The UAE’s annual Midday Break, officially known as the Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy, prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open areas from 12:30pm to 3pm every day from June 15 to September 15.
The Midday Break is one of the UAE’s longstanding measures aimed at protecting the people whose jobs require them to work outdoors through the country’s hottest months. It is implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Why the midday break matters
The rule becomes particularly relevant during periods of extreme heat, when outdoor workers face prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight.
The UAE has recorded temperatures exceeding 50°C this summer, underscoring the conditions faced by workers in construction, road maintenance, delivery and other outdoor occupations.
The annual policy has been in place for more than two decades. In 2026, the Midday Break returned for its 22nd consecutive year.
MoHRE says the policy is designed to provide a safe working environment and protect workers from injuries and illnesses associated with working in high temperatures.
What does the UAE midday break ban cover?
From June 15 to September 15, employers cannot require workers to carry out work:
• Under direct sunlight
• In open-air areas
• Between 12:30pm and 3pm
The restriction applies every day during the three-month period. Employers are required to organise working hours so that the permitted shifts comply with the applicable working-hour rules. MoHRE has also stated that daily working hours in morning and evening shifts should not exceed eight hours, with additional hours treated as overtime in accordance with labour regulations.
What must employers provide?
The protection does not stop at the three-hour break. Companies are required to provide suitable conditions for workers to rest safely, including:
• Shaded areas for workers during the break and when carrying out permitted duties
• Cooling equipment
• Adequate drinking water
• First-aid equipment
• Hydration supplements or other approved items where required
Employers must also provide appropriate sun protection and cooling arrangements for workers involved in activities that are legally exempt from the ban.
Are any outdoor jobs exempt?
Yes. The ban recognises that some work cannot simply be stopped at 12:30pm because doing so could create safety risks, damage infrastructure or disrupt essential services.
Exemptions can include certain activities that must continue for technical reasons, such as:
• Laying asphalt or pouring concrete when postponing the work is not feasible
• Emergency work to address hazards or repair damage affecting the public
• Repairs involving essential services such as water or electricity
• Certain traffic-related works
• Activities requiring a permit from a competent government authority
These exemptions do not mean employers can ignore heat-safety requirements. Workers carrying out permitted duties must still be provided with appropriate water, shade, cooling, first-aid and other safety measures.
What about delivery riders?
Delivery workers are also supported through designated resting facilities during the midday break. MoHRE says it has worked with private-sector delivery companies and government partners to provide safe, air-conditioned resting stations in different parts of the UAE.
An interactive map is available to help delivery workers locate these facilities during the Midday Break.
This is particularly relevant for delivery riders, who may otherwise spend long periods outdoors between orders during the hottest part of the day.
How much is the fine for breaking the rule?
Employers found violating the Midday Break face a fine of Dh5,000 per worker. The penalty can reach a maximum of Dh50,000 when multiple workers are involved.
MoHRE monitors compliance through inspections and other monitoring mechanisms during the enforcement period. The ministry has reported compliance rates of more than 99 per cent in recent years.
How can workers or residents report a violation?
MoHRE accepts reports from workers and members of the public who observe possible violations.
Reports can be submitted through the MoHRE Call Centre on 600590000. Reports can also be filed through the MoHRE website and the ministry’s smart application.
What should you do if you see someone working outdoors at midday?
Seeing a worker outdoors between 12:30pm and 3pm does not automatically mean there is a violation.
Some activities are exempt because they cannot safely be stopped or postponed, including certain emergency, infrastructure and government-permitted works.
However, where an activity appears to fall under the ban, residents can report it to MoHRE for assessment rather than confronting the worker or employer directly.
UAE midday break at a glance
When: June 15 to September 15 every year
Daily break: 12:30pm to 3pm
What is banned: Work under direct sunlight and in open areas
Who is responsible: Employers
Required facilities: Shade, cooling, drinking water and first aid
Some exemptions: Essential, emergency, technical and permitted works
Fine: Dh5,000 per worker, up to Dh50,000
Report violations: MoHRE: 600590000, website or app
ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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