560 inspections conducted to check firms’ compliance with Covid measures
dubai — More than 560 field inspection visits have been done to check private businesses’ compliance with Covid-19 precautionary measures, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has said.
The MoHRE launched the national programme in March to support the stability of the labour market and guide private businesses on the measures they need to follow to keep their employees safe amid the pandemic.
Conducted nationwide and in partnership with government entities, the inspections sought to ensure that social distancing is maintained at the workplace, as well as in accommodations and company transportation, the ministry said.
Inspectors also checked whether private establishments have a system in place to screen the temperatures of their staff and customers and whether sanitisers and other hygiene tools are readily available.
The visits showed a high level of awareness and compliance among employers, the ministry said.
As part of the Covid measures, private companies have been allowed to have only up to 30 per cent of their staff present at the workplace. The number of customers at service centres should also be limited to 30 per cent of their capacity. However, some establishments have been exempted from this rule, including firms related to infrastructure, supply, telecommunication, energy, health, education, banking sector, food industries, hospitality, manufacturers of health necessities, and cleaning services.
Certain individuals must also be prioritised for a remote working system. These include pregnant women, employees over 55 years old, people of determination, staff with respiratory and chronic diseases, and female employees with children in Grade 9 and below.
Passengers on a bus must not exceed 25 per cent of its capacity, and a safe distance must be kept between them. Gatherings and all activities have been suspended at labour accommodations. People on workers’ eateries within their accommodations should also be reduced and social distancing protocols must be followed.