Sheltering from the summer heat was a cool idea right from the beginning

The midday break was introduced in 2004 to give labourers some respite from the blistering sun.

Outdoor workers down tools from 12.30pm to 3pm each day during the summer in a move that has been well received by doctors, who say it has led to a significant decline in heat exhaustion cases.

Before 2010, the break was enforced in July and August, but it now applies between June 15 and August 15.

Each year, the Ministry of Labour inspects companies to ensure they abide by the rule. The ministry has 18 teams who conduct 60,000 field visits each summer and about 20,000 visits to ensure labourers know their rights, distributing leaflets in 10 languages.

If a company is found to be in breach, first-time offenders are fined Dh15,000 and downgraded to category C for at least three months, making them ineligible to obtain work permits for at least six months. Those caught a second time are fined Dh15,000 but cannot obtain work permits for nine months, while third-time offenders are fined Dh20,000 and cannot get work permits for a year.

In 2014, only 147 companies were found to have breached the law while 77,522 sites passed the inspection, meaning 99.69 per cent of those visited were in compliance.

The ministry encourages people to report breaches by calling 800 665.

Companies in breach face restrictions in their applications for work permits and fines of up to Dh20,000