ELEVEN annual summer midday work ban violations were recorded in the first week of this month, according to a top official.
The violations, involving 18 workers, reflect 99.63 per cent compliance with the 2013 law that restricts outdoor work from noon until 4pm during July and August.
The annual ban aims at preventing heat-related illnesses, particularly among labourers.
According to senior labour ministry officials, around 30 labour inspectors inspected 2,948 outdoor worksites until July 7.
“The rate of violations stands at 0.37pc – 11 violations out of 2,948 sites visited,” Labour and Social Development Ministry safety department safety and guidance head Hussain Al Hussaini told the GDN.
“The violations involved 18 workers.
“The compliance rate stands at 99.63pc.
“The numbers reflect high awareness among employers, which is beneficial for all – employees and businesses.”
The GDN reported last year that 3,334 sites were inspected compared with 4,234 in 2020 which was a 200pc rise over 1,456 inspections in 2019.
Mr Al Hussaini was speaking to the GDN on the sidelines of an awareness campaign event held at the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam last night.
The session, titled ‘Heat Stress and Work Ban’, was held in association with the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF).
Attendees were offered free medical check-ups and healthcare gift items on the sidelines by Cancer Care Group, supported by Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre and KIMS Health Bahrain.
In his presentation at the event, Mr Al Hussaini highlighted the hazards posed by heat stress and outdoor work. He also highlighted the health effects of heat stress, first aid and protective measures.
The ministry’s Labour Affairs Under-Secretary Ahmed Al Hayki was the chief guest at the event.
“We are always very pleased at such community initiatives which support the government in ensuring that the law is implemented effectively,” said Mr Al Hayki.
“Such awareness sessions help in educating employees on the benefits of the law.
“It also helps us to effectively reach out to employers as well.
“We are grateful to the community for this gesture.”
In attendance were Indian Embassy second secretary Ravi Shankar Shukla, ICRF chairman Dr Babu Ramachandran, representatives from the embassies of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and the Philippines, and community leaders.
The GDN earlier reported that the ministry was engaged actively in awareness initiatives including distribution of multilingual pamphlets and brochures on the work ban at construction sites and outdoor workplaces.
Among the instructions provided by the ministry included urging workers to drink more water, to take a break, avoid direct sunlight and reschedule working hours.
Violators will be punished by a jail term of no more than three months or a fine of between BD500 and BD1,000 or both.
Summer work ban violations can be reported by calling the hotline 32265727 set up by the Labour Ministry.
Campaigners have been repeatedly calling for extending the ban to three months, with climate change reflecting soaring summer temperatures in the region.
Bahrain is the only country to have a two-month ban while all others impose a three-month midday ban during the scorching summer months.
raji@ gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))