UAE Extends Midday Work Ban and Tightens Wage Protection Rules Through 2026

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will maintain its mandatory midday work ban through the 2026 summer seasons, integrating stricter Wage Protection System (WPS) protocols to ensure payroll compliance. The regulation prohibits outdoor labor under direct sunlight between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM, typically spanning from June 15 to September 15 each year. Enforcement and Financial Penalties Labor inspectors will monitor work sites across all seven emirates to ensure compliance with the seasonal restrictions. Under current administrative levels, companies found violating the ban face fines of AED 5,000 per worker found working during prohibited hours. Total penalties are capped at AED 50,000 for large-scale violations involving multiple employees. Repeated offenders risk being downgraded within the Ministry’s classification system, affecting their ability to process new work permits. Integration with Wage Protection Rules A key focus for the 2026 operational cycle involves the Wage Protection System (WPS). The Ministry requires that the mandatory 2.5-hour daily break does not result in salary deductions. Employers must adjust shift patterns to ensure that…