As temperatures start to rise across the Persian Gulf, Qatar is implementing new rules to better protect workers from heat stress. From 01 June, summer-time non-working hours are being extended by four weeks and annual health checks are being introduced for workers. The Gulf state has been under particular scrutiny in this regard and the new measures coincide with a report from the UK daily newspaper, The Guardian, indicating that since December 2010 at least 6,500 migrant workers have died during work on the 2022 World Cup construction site.
On 26 May 2021 a Qatari ministerial decision announced a significant extension of non-working hours that bans outdoor work during certain hours in the summer months. Between 01 June and 15 September companies are now prohibited from having employees work outside between 10:00 and 15:30. These latest measures replace the 2007 legislation that banned outdoor work between 11:30 and 15:00 during the period 15 June – 31 August. Furthermore as soon as the WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT-a...
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