BD20k fine for violating summer work ban

Manama : Violating establishments of the afternoon summer work ban were fined by at least BD20,000 this year, said Labour and Social Development Ministry in a statement issued marking the end of the afternoon summer work ban law. 

The annual law is implemented between July and August, prohibiting labourers from working between 12pm and 4pm. According to the ministry, violating establishments have been fined between BD500 and BD1,000 for each employee that breaches the ban, and around 235 workers were detected this summer. “The afternoon outdoor work ban for this summer has been remarkably successful,” said  Labour and Social Development Minister, and Chairman of the Health and Vocational Safety Council, Jameel Humaidan. 

The ministry announced that 98. 9pc of the concerned companies and establishments have complied with the rule. 

“The unprecedented compliance rate is the result of the outstanding implementation of Edict 3 of 2013 on banning outdoor afternoon work,” it said. 

The Minister lauded the companies’ full cooperation and understanding of the noble human values of the outdoor work ban law. He added that the compliance rate of 98.9 pc indicates the firms’ keenness to protect workers and ensure their safety. 

Humaidan also highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation between the ministry and the private sector to improve work environment.

The ministry explained that “the ministry’s specialised team had made surprise regular inspection visits to 10,053 work sites during the ban. They reported 106 violations, adding that 235 workers were victims”.

“It’s to be noted that a jail term not exceeding three months, a BD500-1000 fine, or both, is the penalty inflicted on violators,” it added.