MUSCAT:Mandatory mid-day breaks that ban any work under direct sunlight between 12.30pm and 3.30pm will start from June 1 and continue until August 31, the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) said on Sunday.

The mid-day break is announced every year in accordance with Article 16 of the Oman Labour Law for occupational safety and health regulations, which states that workers must not work at construction sites or in open and elevated areas from 12:30pm to 3:30pm during the months of June, July and August. 

“This ministerial decision was put in place to protect workers from the scorching heat during the summer,” an official at MoM said.

He added that a special team has been formed to catch anyone found violating the orders.

“They will be issued a fine,” he said, adding that violations can be reported at 80077000.

According to Article 118 of the Oman Labour Law, violators can be penalised with hefty fines and their penalty is doubled for repeat violations.