Mid-day work ban set to start
A decree that bans outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day is likely to come into effect tomorrow, the day when officials expect the new rule to be published in the Official Gazette.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, on June 24 banned construction and other outdoors works between noon and 4pm during this month and next month.
However, the ban which was originally due to be implemented on July 1, will only come into force when it is printed in the Official Gazette, said Labour Ministry labour relations director Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa.
Once it comes into force, labour inspectors will step up visits to construction sites to ensure that companies are complying with the new law, he told the GDN.
“Stringent action will be taken against companies that defy the law,” he added.
Some contractors have already started talking about suffering losses to the tune of BD2.2 million due to a change in working hours, said Shaikh Ali.
“I don’t understand how they came to such conclusions before the new law is enforced,” he added.
“Meanwhile, contractors have suggested some amendments to the proposed law.
“Such suggestions should be sent by the business community to the Cabinet, which may then study the amendment.”
A delegation from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including board member and contractors’ committee chairman Samir Nass, met Labour Ministry under-secretary Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa last week to express opposition to the law.
“There should be flexibility to have the working hours early and the government should not insist us to start work only at 7am,” said Mr Nass. “One of the amendments that could be considered is to have straight working hours from 5am to 1pm.”
The majority of workers are favouring such early working hours, added Indian Community Relief Fund local help committee convenor K R Nair.
“If the workers can start their job at 5am, get half-an-hour break after five hours and finish by 1pm, it will help enhance productivity in the construction sector.”
GDN – 10 July, ’07