The Kyrgyz Labor Code establishes the framework for working hours in the country. The standard workweek in Kyrgyzstan is 40 hours, typically spread across five eight-hour days.

In specific situations, the law allows for a shorter workweek. The Ministry of Labor sets the permissible reduced workweek hours through annual production calendars.

Certain professions or industries may have a mandated reduced workweek. This information should be outlined in the relevant sector-specific regulations or employment contracts. Always refer to the latest Ministry of Labor pronouncements and your specific employment contract for the most up-to-date working hour regulations.

In Kyrgyzstan, labor laws protect employee rights regarding overtime work and ensure fair compensation.

Employers can request overtime work, but it's not mandatory for employees to accept, according to the Kyrgyz Labor Code.

The Kyrgyz Labor Code dictates a tiered system for overtime pay. Overtime within the first two hours must be compensated at a rate of at least 1.5 times the employee's regular hourly rate. Overtime exceeding two hours requires compensation at a rate of double the employee's regular hourly rate.

For example, if an employee's regular hourly rate is 100 KGS, then overtime during the first two hours would be paid at 150 KGS per hour (1.5 * 100 KGS). Overtime exceeding two hours would be paid at 200 KGS per hour (2 * 100 KGS).

Work performed on rest days or official holidays necessitates compensation at double the employee's regular hourly rate, as per the Kyrgyz Labor Code.

Always consult the most recent revisions of the Kyrgyz Labor Code for any potential changes to overtime regulations.

Kyrgyzstan's labor laws place a high emphasis on the well-being of workers by enforcing rest periods and breaks during the workday.

Daily Breaks: According to the Kyrgyz Labor Code (Article 111), a rest period of at least one hour is required during an eight-hour workday. This break can be split into several shorter breaks, depending on the agreement between the employer and the employee.

Meal Breaks: Although the Labor Code does not explicitly require it, employers are generally expected to give employees a chance to have a meal break during working hours. This is particularly true when providing meals is not feasible due to work conditions (Article 112). The specific details about meal breaks, such as duration and location, should be specified in the organization's internal regulations.

Warming-up and Rest Breaks: For certain types of work that involve physically demanding or hazardous conditions, the government or relevant regulations may require additional breaks for warming up or rest (Article 112).

Kyrgyzstan recognizes the challenging nature of night and weekend work and has established regulations to protect the well-being of workers. Here's an overview of the key legal frameworks:

Night Shift Work

• Night Shift Definition: According to the Kyrgyz Labor Code (Article 103), night work is defined as any work carried out between 10 pm and 6 am.

• Restrictions: Employers are required to prioritize the employment of women, workers with disabilities, and underage employees (under 18) for daytime work whenever feasible (Article 104).

• Compensation: Night shift work requires a higher pay rate compared to regular working hours. The specific increase is determined through collective bargaining agreements or the employment contract (Article 105).

• Reduced Hours: Night shift workers are legally entitled to a shorter workday. The exact reduction is established through sectoral regulations or collective bargaining agreements (Article 106).

Note: Always refer to the latest sectoral regulations or your employment contract for the specific night shift work regulations applicable to your industry.

Weekend Work

• General Rule: Weekends in Kyrgyzstan consist of Saturday and Sunday (Article 107). Employees are generally entitled to rest on these days.

• Exceptions: Weekend work is allowed in certain situations, such as:

  • Urgent repair or restoration work (Article 108).
  • Industries or sectors that operate continuously (e.g., healthcare, hospitality) (Article 109).
  • Situations where preventing production stoppage is critical (Article 110).

• Weekend Work Compensation: Employees required to work on weekends are entitled to double their regular hourly rate (Article 108).

Remember: Employers must obtain employee consent before scheduling weekend work, except in emergency situations (Article 108).