Saudi Arabia bans work under the sun from June 15

A three-month ban on working under the sun between 12 p.m and 3 p.m. for employees of all companies will be implemented on June 15, 2018, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

The ban, effective through Sept. 15, is to guarantee the safety of employees in the private sector, the ministry said.

The step also reflects the ministry’s commitment to protecting workers from any potential risks in accordance with safety and occupational health considerations.

Workers were cautioned against working under the scorching heat and warned not to expose themselves to possible sunstrokes.

Wary of the soaring temperatures in summer, the labour ministries have introduced a strict ban on outdoor work in the early afternoon and imposed heavy penalties against employers who insist on violating the rule.

The rule does not apply to workers in the oil and gas sector or on emergency duty. However, their employers have to ensure that they are well protected from the high risks of exposure to the scorching sun.