JEDDAH — The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has started monitoring the implementation of the Labor Ministry's directives forbidding companies and businesses from having workers perform outdoor jobs during the midday period between 12 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. The ministry's order is meant to safeguard the well-being of workers in general and construction workers in particular from the heat of the midday season according to Sharaf Al-Gerafi, Supervisor of the NSHR office in Madinah. He said that the society's office in Madinah was closely monitoring to see if there were any violations by contracting companies of the directive which stay in effect until the end of August. Al-Gerafi said his agency would act immediately in the event of a violation, adding that Article 122 of the Labor Law makes it mandatory for business owners to ensure that necessary precautions are taken to ensure worker safety and that they work in a suitable environment. He appealed to employers to abide by the Prophet's (PBUH) hadith calling for compassion and kindness to workers. — SG
