abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb

The content is also available in the following languages: العربيّة

Article

1 Sep 2023

Author:
Migrant-Rights.org

Bahrain: As summer working ban lifts in scorching heat, NGO calls on govt. to lengthen & adopt precise measure of climate conditions

"Bahrain’s summer midday work ban concludes, yet the scorching heat persists,"

Bahrain has officially lifted its summer midday work ban...

... 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... Bahrain's ban only covers two months between July 1 to August 31. 

... [the ban] 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...

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 many years, civil societies, trade unions, and physicians have advocated for extending the midday ban period to June and September...

Migrant-Rights.Org urges the Bahraini government to promptly broaden the midday summer ban to encompass both June and September while adopting a more precise approach based on the real-time actual Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature index, rather than relying on arbitrary calendar dates and hours.

Additionally, the Bahraini government should take measures to assess pollution and dust levels, in order to ensure that workers who face prolonged outdoor exposure operate within air quality parameters recommended by the World Health Organization. Importantly the ban must cover all workers who work outdoors without affecting their working rights and wages...

Weekly Update

Our international team of expert researchers monitor developments relating to allegations of corporate abuse, also highlighting where progress has been made. We work alongside grassroots civil society, businesses and governments to keep our audience up to date with related legal developments and coverage of ground-breaking research. Read past updates and subscribe.

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.