Saudi pilgrims on Hajj died last month from a catastrophic heat wave. The Middle East is so hot it almost doesn’t seem possible to sustain life there, sustainably. Yet it keeps building and discovering more oil wells to keep the planet on track for heating up.
The Middle East also has a poor track record for worker’s rights. Luckily those in Bahrain will get an outdoor work siesta during midday starting Monday, July 1. Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan said that this measure has significantly improved worker health and productivity, aligning with Bahrain’s commitment to safe working conditions and international labor standards.
The ban runs from 12pm to 4pm and aims to protect workers from the intense afternoon heat which is unbearable even in the shade.
In Middle East countries like Qatar more than 6500 foreign workers have died since the World Cup was hosted there. Some sources suggest this might be underestimated and that the numbers of undocumented workers dying is likely much higher. Qatar has been blamed by UK media for practices of modern day slavery.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
