Outdoor workers receive cooling support through air-conditioned buses, cold refreshments, and portable neck fans.
Dubai: For thousands of outdoor workers across the UAE, summer brings some of the most challenging working conditions of the year. While the country’s mandatory midday break helps protect workers from peak heat hours, a new initiative is providing additional comfort and support during these demanding months.
The UAE Lottery, in partnership with SmartLife Foundation, has introduced the “Cool Bus Shelter” initiative, turning air-conditioned buses into temporary cooling stations where outdoor workers can take a break, freshen up, and regain energy before resuming their duties.
Positioned near labour sites, the buses offered more than a break from the intense heat. They created a comfortable and welcoming space where workers could pause, enjoy refreshments, and feel valued for their daily efforts.
A Cool Break
The initiative complements the UAE’s official midday break, which requires a suspension of outdoor work between 12:30pm and 3pm during the summer months to help safeguard workers from the dangers of extreme heat.
Inside the buses, volunteers from the UAE Lottery and SmartLife Foundation provide workers with cold towels, chilled water, and refreshing beverages, creating a comfortable, air-conditioned space where they can relax and recover from the heat.
The support extended beyond the cooling break itself. Each worker also received a portable rechargeable neck fan, providing continuous airflow and additional comfort even after returning to outdoor worksites.
Shared Responsibility
According to Suzan Kazzi, associate director of corporate social responsibility at Momentum – The UAE Lottery, the initiative acknowledges the vital role outdoor workers play in the country’s growth and development.
“Outdoor workers are the backbone of our cities’ urban development, and initiatives like the Cool Bus Shelter ensure they receive the care and recognition they deserve during the most challenging months of the year. This is our small way of saying thank you and reminding them that their wellbeing truly matters,” said Kazzi.
For SmartLife Foundation, the initiative represents its broader commitment to supporting the wellbeing of outdoor workers through collaborations with organisations across the UAE.
“We believe that safeguarding the wellbeing of the outdoor workforce is a shared responsibility. Through the Cool Bus Shelter initiative, we are proud to work alongside organisations such as the UAE Lottery and other community partners to create moments of comfort, appreciation, and human connection that make a meaningful and lasting difference,” said Abhijeet Oak, vice president at SmartLife Foundation.
Social Impact
The Cool Bus Shelter initiative is part of the UAE Lottery’s H.O.P.E. programme, which supports projects focused on advancing health and wellbeing, creating opportunities, and promoting environmental protection.
Through partnerships with organisations driving positive change across the UAE, the UAE Lottery aims to continue backing practical, community-focused initiatives that enhance lives, encourage inclusion, and recognise the valuable contributions of those helping shape a stronger and more connected society.
