FUJAIRAH // Free meals and cold drinks will be distributed to workers during the summer season to help them cope with the soaring temperatures.
The initiative is part of the “Your Summer is our Responsibility” campaign by the Fujairah Municipality.
The civic body has distributed cotton T-shirts, water bottles and brochures that show how to avoid health problems over the summer.
Local authorities say the awareness campaign that was launched last month and the midday break will make a huge difference.
“Our main responsibility is to guide and advise workers on how to deal with such high temperatures,” said Aseela Al Mualla, head of the municipality’s public services and environment department.
“We need to make them aware of the behaviours and precautions that must be taken to minimise health problems caused by the hot climate during summer.”
Residents welcomed the move.
“I feel so sad for them – they work under the heat and I don’t know how they do it,” said Hind Hamad, 39, an Emirati.
Another Emirati resident, Omar Mubarak, paid tribute to the workers and said they deserved more recognition.
“They are behind-the-scenes workers,” said Mr Mubarak, 36, who works in health care. “They make a great effort and are under a lot of pressure, especially in this unbearable weather.
“They should be well instructed about the risks, signs and symptoms of the illnesses related to the heat exposure and they should be trained to deal with it.
“We all appreciate their work and we have to help and support them always.”
The midday break for workers, from 12.30pm to 3pm, comes into effect on June 15 and ends on September 15.
Companies that do not allow workers to take the break can face fines of up to Dh15,000, or temporary closure for repeat offences.
Other emirates are also making efforts to protect workers during the hotter months.
The Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Centre has launched a campaign to raise awareness among more than half a million people.
Held in cooperation with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi and the Ministry of Labour, it is targeting 2,700 institutions and companies and 600,000 people, including workers, supervisors, occupational safety and health personnel and business owners.
The drive features 31 workshops and 2,300 field visits and inspections.
Officials will also hand out 85,000 brochures and stickers, which will be printed in several languages.
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