The duty times of construction workers have changed to help them avoid soaring temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius during Ramadan.
Those who are working outdoors need to work from 3 a.m. till 11 a.m. during Ramadan, according to construction industry sources.
This arrangement has been designed to provide some relief to workers who are fasting by helping them avoid the scorching sun.
Abdullah Ridwan, chairman of the contractors committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said most construction workers are directly exposed to high temperatures during midday hours in summer.
He added: “Therefore, we tried our best in coordination with contractors to reduce the burden on workers as well as to avoid the negative impact of high temperatures on fasting workers.
Speaking to reporters, Ridwan denied reports some construction projects have been halted during Ramadan.
“The tempo of work normally slows down in Ramadan, especially if it falls in summer, compared to other seasons of the year.”
The decision to restrict the duty times of construction workers until 11 a.m. has become a big relief during the fasting month.
A two-month midday outdoor work ban is still in force across the Kingdom. The directive, implemented by the Labor Ministry since last summer, prohibits outdoor work between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. from July 1 until August 31.
Ministry spokesman Hattab Al-Anizi warned punitive action would be taken against employers and contractors who flout the ban.
Meanwhile, Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), said temperatures in Ramadan could reach up to 48 degrees.
Construction workers to work from 3 to 11 in the morning in Ramadan
