JUNE 2026 – QATAR
SUMMER OUTDOOR WORKING HOURS
It is important that employers note the following:
Qatar enforces summer outdoor working hours restrictions
The Ministry of Labour in Qatar has announced that regulated outdoor working hours will be enforced from
1 June 2026.
Under this directive, work in open workplaces or under direct sunlight is prohibited between 10:00 and 15:30
for the period 1 June to 15 September 2026. This restriction is implemented annually during the summer
months to reduce the risks associated with heat exposure.
The measure is implemented in accordance with Ministerial Decision No. 17 of 2021, which sets out the
necessary precautions to protect workers from heat stress.
The decision requires employers to adopt comprehensive heat stress mitigation measures, including:
- Scheduling working hours outside the restricted period;
- Providing adequate rest areas, drinking water and personal protective equipment;
- Conducting risk assessments and training employees on heat stress; and
- Monitoring environmental conditions and suspending work where heat thresholds are exceeded.
The initiative forms part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to safeguard employee health and ensure safe working
conditions during extreme heat.
Employers with employees operating in outdoor or exposed environments must review work schedules and
ensure full compliance with the prescribed restrictions and preventative measures.
To view Ministerial Decision No. 17 of 2021, follow the link.
