Time-off for outdoor workers in Riyadh

As temperature soars

RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—As summer temperatures rise across the Kingdom, building contractors in Riyadh are giving workers a three-hour break in the afternoons when the heat is at its highest, Al-Watan newspaper reported Monday.

Contractors say the three-hour off—from 12 noon to 3 p.m.—will encourage overall productivity and not delay project deadlines as it will be made up later in the day when it is cooler.

Fahd Al-Hammadi, head of the contracting division at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said 90 percent of construction companies care about their workers. “I canceled three hours of work knowing that the workers would appreciate the step and would double their efforts during the remaining hours,” he said.

“There are other contractors who compensate the time cut by working at night if there is electricity at the sites,” said Al-Hammadi.

He also ruled out the possibility of companies reducing salaries saying it is a temporary step until the weather gets cooler. “There are parts of Riyadh where the temperatures reach 50 degrees and more. There is no way someone could work in those conditions,” he said.

Sultan Al-Ateeq, owner of a number of construction companies in Riyadh, said he decided to take the step to cut down on work hours when the heat is at its maximum.

“This is a step to ease the pressure on workers. The three-hour break is approved under the condition that employees work harder during working hours in the morning and afternoons to compensate for the missing hours and ensure projects are not delayed,” he said.

Experts, meanwhile, warned employees against working in intense heat. They advised those who work under the sun to drink plenty of water and avoid staying in direct sunlight for long hours.

More than 1 million Filipinos work in Saudi. –Arab News