MoL targets 25 firms for violating noon-break rule

The inspection was launched by the MoL to stop work at construction sites and ensure compliance with the ministerial decision that banned work by labourers between 12.30pm and 3pm. “The 25 companies have committed this breach for the first time. So we will transfer the violating companies to category C in accordance with the ministerial decision No. 410,” said Mohsen Ali Saeed, Manager of the Inspection Section at the MoL.

Saeed noted that the increase in the number of the ministry’s inspectors to eight for carrying out the inspection in Mussafah on Thursday had helped detect such a large number of erring firms.

“The inspection raids will stop by the end of the current month, and the ministry will spare no effort to protect the workers,” he added.

The noon-break rule has been introduced according to the ministerial decision 410 that imposes punishments on the violating firms. The ministry will take legal action against these firms by classifying them as category C companies for at least three months and slap them with a Dh10,000 fine, said Saeed. The ministry had decided that companies in category C will not have their transactions processed and will be slapped double fines. Violation fines will be imposed as per the cabinet decree No. 19 for 2005 on fees and bank guarantee.

If the breach occurred for the second time, the ministry will not process the company’s applications for work permit for at least three months.

The third time, the firm shall be moved into category C for not less than one year, in addition to paying Dh30,000 fine. For the fourth time, and in all cases falling under the three times above, the names of violating companies, directors, and owners shall be published in the daily newspapers circulated in the country, and on internal advertisement screens at the ministry.