The Ministry of Labor has taken action against and issued warnings to 187 establishments for violating the ban on working under direct sunlight, which went into effect early last week across the Kingdom’s regions and provinces.
Dr. Abdullah Abu Thaneen, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor for Inspection and Work Environment Development, explained that the violations resulted from the employment of 484 workers during prohibited hours. In Riyadh, 96 establishments were caught violating the ban by employing 178 workers, in the Eastern Province, 42 establishments were found in violation for employing 129 workers, and in the province of Unaizah, 18 establishments were found in violation for employing 71 workers.
He emphasized that violators of the ban on working under the sun—which began in the middle of this calendar month and continues until the end of the day on September 15—will be penalized with a fine of no less than 3,000 riyals and no more than 10,000 riyals for each violation, or the closure of the facility for a period not exceeding 30 days, or its permanent closure; the fine and closure may be combined, along with the elimination of the source of danger.
Dr. Abu Athnain stated that the regulation stems from the Ministry’s commitment to the safety and health of workers and the requirements of the workplace, given the changing climatic conditions that may endanger workers’ safety. The Ministry of Labor is working diligently to provide a work environment free from various occupational hazards, and to improve efficiency and preventive measures to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses and protect workers from accidents, which will in turn lead to improved and increased productivity.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Labor has designated the number (920001173) for its customer service line to receive complaints regarding violations of this decision so that appropriate action can be taken.