Work ban violators punished

TDT | Manama

Twenty-seven companies have been found to be in violation of the summer outdoor work ban since it came into effect in July. There were also 37 workers found to have violated the law to date, said the Ministry of Labour and Social Development.

The ministry said that it has carried out 6,315 inspection visits, which have been conducted within the framework of direct follow-up to the implementation of the ministerial resolution regarding the outdoor work ban between 12noon and 4pm in the months of July and August. The aforementioned violators have been referred to the concerned authorities to take legal action against them, the ministry said.

Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan also made surprise inspection visits to a number of construction work sites yesterday to see the extent of the commitment of concerned facilities to the decision. He was accompanied by a number of officials and supervisors of occupational safety at the ministry.

The Labour Minister met during his inspections a number of work site supervisors and was briefed on the measures taken by their facilities to ensure a safe environment for their employees. They discussed ways to improve efficiency and means of injury prevention, with the aim of reducing occupational injuries, in addition to efforts to train workers on first aid.

In a statement after his visits, the Labour Minister praised the commitment of companies to implement the outdoor work ban, and stressed that the decision protects employees from possible harm, while at the same time contributes to increasing the pace of productivity. He added that companies operating in the private sector are adjusting their work schedules to ensure the completion of projects without delay.

He emphasised that the ministry will not be complacent in intensifying inspection visits, and will step up its monitoring and apprehension of violators of the outdoor work ban. The Labour Minister affirmed Bahrain’s keenness to enhance the safety and health of all in various work sites, saying that it is this attention and care that has made the Kingdom among the leading countries in workforce protection, thus earning the respect of the international community.

Those who are found to be in violation of the outdoor work ban can be punished with a jail term for a period not exceeding three months and a fine of no less than BD500 dinars and not more than BD1,000, or one of these two penalties.