Protecting workers from the heat: Challenges and employer responsibilities in Oman

In the Sultanate of Oman, where summer temperatures can soar well above 45°C, many workers, especially in construction and outdoor services, continue to labour through the intense heat of the day. Despite the legal safeguards enshrined in the Labour Law, the reality on the ground often reflects a gap between policy and practice.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, a representative of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that according to the Article 70 of the Labour Law, workers should not be made to work more than eight actual hours a day or forty hours a week, and the continuous period of work must not exceed six hours without a rest break.

Moreover, the Ministry of Labour typically issues seasonal decisions each year, suspending outdoor work during peak midday hours in the summer. However, enforcement challenges and commercial pressures sometimes push employers to keep operations running, exposing workers to significant health risks such as heatstroke, dehydration, and fatigue, said Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali the founding partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm.

Another spokesperson from the law firm stated that the law also emphasises the responsibility of employers to provide safe working environments, including protective measures against extreme weather. Yet, many laborers, especially expatriates, continue to endure these harsh conditions without adequate shelter, hydration, or medical care. This not only violates the legal framework but also disregards the basic human dignity of workers who build and sustain the nation’s infrastructure.

Protecting workers from extreme heat is not merely a regulatory requirement, it is a moral and humanitarian obligation. Authorities must strengthen inspections and ensure compliance, while employers should prioritize health over deadlines. In the face of rising global temperatures, sustainable labour practices are not optional, they are essential, the expert said.

(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).