JEDDAH: The rise in temperatures on the east coast has led to progress slowing down at construction projects in Jeddah in recent days, with workers seeking shade from the heat and a notable absence of supervising authorities at building sites. The Ministry of Labor has reminded construction firms of the law coming into effect this summer barring work in sun-exposed conditions from midday to 3 P.M. in July and August, and sources at the ministry told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the measure will be strictly imposed. “The Ministry of Labor has ordered its officials to ensure that private companies comply with the ruling,” they said. “If they don't, the firms will be subject to fines of between SR3,000 and SR10,000 for each offense, or closure for up to 30 days or permanent closure. Companies could be both fined and shut down.” The summer sun working hours law for the private sector was announced by the Ministry of Labor last year, but has only been brought into effect in 2011 in order to give firms time to adapt their work plans. The ministry has been working with the relevant authorities to inform the private sector of the law and has also been working on awareness in the sector of the dangers of working in sun-exposed conditions. The Jeddah Mayoralty, meanwhile, is considering asking contract developers working on various construction projects to work during the evenings and all week long as it seeks to have works completed as soon as possible and before the arrival of the next rainy season.
