Bahrain has officially lifted its summer midday work ban. Starting today, workers labouring outdoors are no longer required to stop work from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, despite the ongoing extreme temperatures and high humidity levels.
Like other Gulf States, Bahrain bans outdoor work during the summer midday hours each year. However, these bans are determined by fixed dates and times, rather than actual climate conditions. Bahrain offers the least protection against extreme heat in terms of the number of days it enforces the ban. While other Gulf states' bans span over three to four calendar months, Bahrain's ban only covers two months between July 1 to August 31.
Bahrain’s midday summer work ban law (Ministerial Order No. 3 of 2013) also only offers limited protection from extreme heat and humidity. It only mandates that workers refrain from working outdoors during ban hours, without addressing the need to provide appropriate shelter for resting workers. For example, there is no requirement for air-conditioned resting areas or air-conditioned transport to and back from accommodation. In practice, many employers in Bahrain only offer shaded huts near construction sites without air conditioning.
Despite officials' claims that the ban is effective in protecting workers, temperatures outside the banned months and midday hours remain extremely high, leaving migrants vulnerable to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. For example, in July this year (the second-hottest - Opens in new tab July ever recorded in the country), Bahrain logged apparent temperatures (real feel) of 50°C outside the four-hour ban period - Opens in new tab.
Temperatures and humidity in the months of June and September, before and after the ban period, are also extremely high. Today’s temperature - Opens in new tab is expected to reach a high of 44°C with 75% humidity during the peak heat hours.
