The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has recorded 258 violations of its ban on making workers toil under the hot sun. These violations were detected during the period from June 15 and July 12, Khaled Aba Al-Khail, spokesman of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, was quoted by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) as saying on Saturday. Al-Khail further said that 241 companies were involved in these violations in all regions of the Kingdom. He added that the ministry was committed to implementing the decision banning forcing workers to work under the hot sun throughout the period announced earlier. The objective is to protect the private sector workers' health and safety. The ministry also aims to direct companies to provide a healthy and safe work environment in line with the occupational health and safety requirements. This is also in the interest of work in order to prevent the workers from any health risks. The spokesman said the ministry's decision in this connection was issued on May 14, 2014. It states that it is not allowed to make an employee work in open areas under the hot sun from 12 noon to 3 p.m. during the period from June 15 until Sept, 15 every Gregorian year. Oil and the gas workers and those in the maintenance sector have been exempted from this restriction, but ample measures have been taken to protect them as well. The decision also exempts some governorates in some regions of the Kingdom where temperatures are low.
