LONGER LUNCH BREAKS BEGIN
Outdoor staff tell of their relief as two-and-a-half-hour break begins in heat
Workers pleased at lunchtime extension designed to beat the midday heat,
ABU DHABI // Construction workers expressed relief as the extended midday break kicked in ahead of one of the hottest weekends of the year.
Labourers took time out for two and a half hours yesterday as the three-month mandatory rest order went into effect.
It will ensure companies cannot ask outdoor workers, particularly labourers, to work between 12.30pm and 3pm until September 15.
It came as temperatures were forecast to hit highs of 46°C in Abu Dhabi today with 80 per cent humidity, according to the NCMS weather centre.
In Dubai temperatures are also expected to be about 45°C. Humidity is forecast to hit 100 per cent at night in the coming days.
The past few weeks have been a struggle, some labourers said.
Last year, the midday break coincided with the start of Ramadan, whereas this year three weeks of the holy month have already passed, providing a challenge to fasting workers.
“As temperatures were increasing every day, we were waiting for the midday break rule to begin so we wouldn’t have to work in the afternoon,” said Sukhwant Singh, an Indian on building a site on Reem Island.
“It was getting harder to work every passing day during summer, especially after noon, so when we had our break and went to sit in the AC room it felt really good and refreshing.”
Another Indian, Vipun Kumar, said it took time to get used to the heat once the summer arrives in earnest.
“Once winter is over and the heat starts, it takes time to adapt to working long hours in the sun. It takes almost two months to get used to it and accustom our bodies to bearing the heat, but we do it every year, it is usual for us.”
Mr Kumar said he was glad his Muslim colleagues who are fasting get a chance to work shorter days.
“We all start together at six, and the ones who are fasting leave at 12.30pm, while we work until 5.30pm with the midday break in between. It is much harder for my friends fasting so I’m happy to work longer instead of them.”
Widad Ali, a supervisor at another site, said timings were much more flexible today.
“Working hours are reduced in Ramadan and we work only for six hours. Our work in Ramadan starts at 6am and ends at 12pm,” said Mr Ali, who earns Dh1,400 a month.
“Ramadan fasting is a reli- gious obligation, we are not concerned whether it falls on hotter days or in colder seasons. We have to exercise it. But the flexible timings are convenient.
“We don’t sleep after observing our sehri prayer,” he said. But some workers look forward to the days when Ramadan comes forward in the year into the winter months.
“It’s scorching when temperatures soar up to 40° C but we don’t have any option but to work. It’s difficult even during regular days,” said Zahid Zaman, at an Abu Dhabi work site. “We fast as usual and heat can’t stop us from observing fast. Due to hot weather and fasting, of course, we feel thirsty and it’s a testing time for us,” said Mr Zaman, who earns Dh1,200 a month.
Omar Zada, said his employers have also been flexible, with those fasting working between 6am and midday. “We reach our accommodation by 1pm, perform prayers, take a rest and then prepare iftar meals for ourselves,” he said.