Saudi Arabia bans working under direct sun for 3 Months

Update (12 November 2026): This post was first written about the 2021 ban. The ban now returns every summer. In 2026 it ran from 15 June to 15 September, 12 noon to 3 PM, and ended on 15 September 2026. The same June 15 – September 15 window is set in the ministerial resolution, so expect it again in 2027 unless HRSD announces a change.

Saudi’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) bans mid-day outdoor work under direct sunlight every summer, as temperatures rise.

Workers in Saudi Arabia must not be made to work under direct exposure to the sun for three months each year.

Employers must ensure that their workers stay out of the sun between noon and 3PM from June 15 to September 15. (When this post was first published, the ban ran from June 15, 2021 to September 15, 2021.)

The rule comes from Ministerial Resolution No. 3337 (dated 15/07/1435 AH, 14 May 2014) and applies to all private sector establishments. It aims to reduce occupational injuries and diseases, protect the health of the private sector’s employees in the Kingdom and increase their productivity. It is in accordance with occupational health and safety considerations to provide a safe working environment.

Workers in oil and gas companies and emergency maintenance workers are excluded, provided their employer takes the necessary measures to protect them from the sun. During the 2026 ban, HRSD reported 29,945 inspection visits and a 95% compliance rate.

Source · HRSD: 2026 ban starts 15 June · Arab News: 2026 ban ends · HRSD: Resolution 3337 (PDF)