In order to protect workers from the dangers of heat stress in summer, the Ministry of Labour issues every year a decision banning work in open spaces during the day time. This year the decision came into force on June 1, 2023 and will continue until September 15, 2023. The decision prohibits work after 10am until 3.30pm.
The government not only issues the decision, but it also works hard to follow up on its implementation by monitoring work sites during the summer and penalising companies that violate the decision as it is important in protecting the health of workers and their rights and to avoid the risks caused by high temperatures.
Rights groups and stakeholders also take part in the process of protecting the labour force from the heat stress by organising campaigns to raise awareness among the workers. In this context, reference may be made to the ongoing campaign organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to raise awareness of the impact of heat stress on workers’ rights to life and physical and mental health in the work environment.
The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of efforts by all stakeholders, foremost of which is the commitment of employers and workers to implement the legal decisions and legislation approved by the state regarding the prevention and prohibition of work in high-temperature, which protects them from heat stress. This is mainly for workers in the construction, industry, and delivery services sectors, which would enhance the national progress in protecting the rights of expatriate workers and address any gaps that may prevent the provision of actual and complete protection.
As the campaign aims to enhance employers’ and workers’ compliance with legal standards stipulated in national legislation on heat stress prevention, provide information to stakeholders, the NHRC is organising an interactive meeting and seminars for workers and staff of delivery companies as part of the campaign to prevent heat stress risks.
Workers and employees who are exposed to the heat because of the nature of their work are one of the significant social and economic components in the Qatari society as they are an essential pillar of sustainable development, therefore it is important to preserve, protect and promote their rights.
The NHRC campaign for workers was launched on August 1 and will continue until September 1, which focuses on the prevention of the dangers of heat stress by securing the enforcement of legal provisions related to working conditions and protecting workers from heat stress, especially in the construction, factory, and delivery sectors.
