DOHA: Field visits carried out by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, represented by the Labour Inspection Department, from 16 July to 13 August resulted in the closure of 67 work sites for a period of three days because they violated Ministerial Decision No. 16 of 2007.
Most of the companies were in the contracting sector in different areas of the country.
The inspectors has carried out a number of inspections with the aim of ensuring compliance by companies operating in the country with Ministerial Decision No. 16 of 2007 determining working hours in exposed/outdoor workplaces during the summer.
Ministerial Decision No. 16 of 2007 bans work after 11.30 am while work should begin from 3 pm from 15 June to 31 August every year. The decision obliges companies and institutions that have workplaces under direct sunlight to set a schedule specifying the daily working hours in accordance with the provisions of the decision, a visible place that is easy for all workers to see and for Ministry inspectors to observe during their inspection visits to the workplace.
In addition, air-conditioned spaces for workers’ comfort should be provided along with chilled drinking water and light clothing. They should also be allowed rest periods at different times in order to protect them from the risk of thermal stress.