In Mauritania, the labor law stipulates a standard workweek with certain restrictions on daily and weekly working hours. According to the Labour Code §172, the maximum legal working hours in Mauritania should not exceed 40 hours per week. This equates to a maximum of 8 hours per day for a standard workweek.

In Mauritania, labor law outlines the rules and compensation for overtime work. There is a legal cap on the number of overtime hours an employee can work, which should not exceed 4 hours per day or 20 hours per week.

Employees are entitled to overtime compensation for working beyond the legal hours. The overtime rate is set at 150% of the employee's regular hourly rate.

The determination of the overtime rate can be influenced by collective bargaining agreements between employers and employee unions. In the absence of such agreements, a ministerial decree might establish the rate.

In Mauritania, labor law guarantees minimum rest periods and breaks for all workers.

Daily Rest

All workers are entitled to a minimum daily rest period of 10 consecutive hours following each workday.

Weekly Rest

Workers are entitled to a weekly rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours. By law, this weekly rest period should fall on Fridays. Exceptions to the Friday requirement may be authorized by ministerial decree.

Rest Breaks

The Mauritanian Labour Code does not explicitly mention mandated rest breaks throughout the workday. However, some sources suggest a practice of providing 30-minute breaks every 5 hours of work. It's important to note that this might not be universally applied and could vary depending on the specific industry or workplace.

In Mauritania, labor law provides specific regulations for night and weekend work.

Night work is generally defined as work performed during a specific time period at night, often between 7 pm and 6 am. However, the specific timeframe can be adjusted through collective bargaining agreements. Employers requiring night work must obtain prior authorization from the labor inspector. Workers on night shifts are entitled to a wage supplement, though the specific amount is not explicitly stated in the law and is likely determined by collective bargaining agreements or ministerial decrees.

Sundays are considered official rest days. Work performed on Sundays generally requires authorization from the labor inspector and necessitates granting compensatory rest or paying a higher wage. Specific industries or sectors may have exemptions or variations on weekend work regulations outlined in collective bargaining agreements.