The Heat is On

Summer is here at last and as temperatures are expected to soar for the next few months, the UAE Government has just extended the summer midday working break. Until recently this break applied between 12.30pm and 3.00pm in July and August only, but pursuant to Ministerial Resolution 443 for 2010, this has now been extended by a month and will now apply from June 15 to September 15. Most Contractors have welcomed the decision to extend the break but stress that it must be applied uniformly throughout the industry.

While it goes without saying that the safety and welfare of the workforce takes priority, the extension to the break will have an impact on productivity. This could affect Contractors and Employers alike. Contractors could find themselves falling behind the programme for the completion for the Works whereas Employers could find themselves faced with potential claims for late completion from third parties. The new Resolution highlights an important question