The UAE midday break: what every employer must do

During the summer months, the UAE enforces a mandatory midday break for outdoor workers. Typically running from June 15 to September 15, work performed directly under the sun is prohibited between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must provide shaded areas for rest, adequate cooling, and hydration. At tamdeed, we strictly adhere to these regulations across all 7 emirates to prioritize worker wellbeing.

Here is the essential checklist of obligations during the midday break period:

• Shaded Areas: Provide a sheltered, cool area for workers during the break.
• Hydration: Free, cold drinking water must be accessible at all times.
• First Aid: Keep emergency cooling equipment and hydration salts on-site.

Midday Break Regulations Overview

Period	Prohibited Hours	Key Requirement	Penalty for Violations
June 15 – Sept 15	12:30 PM – 3:00 PM	No direct outdoor labor under the sun	AED 5,000 per worker (up to AED 50,000)

Ensuring compliance with MoHRE health guidelines is not just a legal requirement but a core pillar of our ethical staffing commitment. Partner with tamdeed B2B to hire fully compliant operations crews.