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The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), in collaboration with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, announced the commencement of the implementation of the Midday Work Ban decision across all private sector establishments, effective from Monday, 15 June 2026, until Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The implementation of this decision comes as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect workers’ health and safety and reduce occupational and health risks resulting from direct exposure to sunlight during periods of high temperatures. This contributes to providing a safe and healthy work environment that complies with occupational safety and health requirements and relevant approved standards.
The Ministry explained that the results of implementing the decision in previous years demonstrated a positive impact in increasing awareness and compliance among private sector establishments. The compliance rate with the Midday Work Ban decision reached 94% in 2025, reflecting employers’ growing awareness of the importance of adhering to preventive measures and their role in protecting workers’ health and safety.
The Ministry urged employers to organize working hours in accordance with the requirements of the decision and implement the necessary preventive measures at workplaces, including providing drinking water, suitable rest areas, shaded areas, and personal protective equipment. Employers are also required to raise workers’ awareness of heat stress risks and prevention methods, monitor workers’ physical conditions during periods of high temperatures, and emphasize the role of occupational safety and health officers and specialists within establishments in monitoring compliance, ensuring workplace readiness, increasing worker awareness, and applying approved workplace inspection procedures and preventive measures before commencing field activities.
The Ministry has published relevant guidelines and instructions on its website to assist employers and safety specialists in understanding preventive requirements, managing risks associated with working in hot environments, and applying best practices to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses related to direct exposure to sunlight.
The Ministry confirmed the continuation of its supervisory and awareness efforts, in coordination with relevant entities, to monitor the implementation of the decision and enhance compliance throughout the ban period. It emphasized that compliance with the decision goes beyond regulatory obligations, representing a humanitarian and professional responsibility toward workers, while contributing to improved efficiency, productivity, and sustainable work environments.
The Ministry called on everyone to report any violations related to non-compliance with the Midday Work Ban decision through the Ministry’s unified contact number (19911) or via the Ministry’s mobile application available on smart devices.
