JEDDAH: Field inspectors from the Ministry of Labor were at the location of excavation work in less than 24 hours after receiving the report of a contracting company employing a child under the scorching sun in excavation work.

Field teams were dispatched to the location to investigate the report from a citizen who called the ministry from his mobile phone. The citizen filmed the child while actually taking part in excavations on a street in Riyadh. The team questioned workers at the location about why the child was working and why they were working in the middle of the day.

The team opened an investigation file on the violating establishment and the case was referred to the relevant authorities at the ministry to complete the investigation procedures.

The ministry works to ensure a safe health environment and raise the competency of preventive measures to curb work injuries and protect workers from accidents which improves productive levels.

The Ministry of Labor called on citizens to call the ministry for any reports, queries or complaints related to violators of the law which prohibits working under the sun which came into effect on June, 15, 2015. The law stipulates that all establishments should stop working in the afternoon heat until Sept. 15.

Employees of gas and oil companies, as well as emergency maintenance cases, are exempted from the afternoon work prohibition on condition they are protected from the heat, with the exception of some governorates because of varying temperatures

The ministry confirmed that in cases of violations, punishments stipulated in Article 236 of the Labor Law will be implemented. The punishments includes a minimum fine of SR3,000 and a maximum of SR10,000, or closure of the facility for a maximum period of 30 days, or complete closure. Both punishments could be applied.