The Labor Law of North Macedonia establishes the framework for standard working hours in the country. Here's a breakdown of the key regulations:

Weekly Working Hours

• A standard workweek in North Macedonia consists of 40 hours.
• This allotment is typically distributed over five workdays.

Daily Working Hours

• The maximum number of working hours per day is set at eight.

Additional Considerations

• It's important to note that these are standard regulations, and collective agreements or individual employment contracts may deviate from them as long as they provide more favorable conditions for the employee.

In North Macedonia, the Law on Labor Relations governs the rules and compensation for overtime work. Employees are generally obligated to perform overtime work under specific circumstances when requested by their employer. These situations include an exceptional increase in workload, the need to maintain business continuity or production processes, addressing damage to work equipment that could disrupt operations, and ensuring the safety of people, property, or traffic.

While overtime is permissible, regulations are in place to protect employee well-being. Overtime work cannot exceed eight hours per week and is capped at 190 hours per year. Exceptions exist for specific work processes where interruption is impossible, or shift organization is not feasible. Even in these cases, the average overtime over any three-month period cannot surpass eight hours per week. Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Agency for National Safety can, under exceptional circumstances, exceed the 190-hour annual limit when carrying out urgent tasks.

Employees are entitled to compensation for overtime work. The specific rate is usually determined by a collective agreement but cannot be less than 135% of the employee's regular hourly rate. A mandatory bonus is applicable if an employee works more than 150 hours of overtime in a year while being absent for less than 21 days. This bonus amounts to one month's average national salary. In North Macedonia, it's common practice for employers to provide a 13th-month salary bonus. Employees who have clocked over 150 overtime hours and haven't been absent for more than 21 days in a year qualify for this benefit. The bonus is calculated based on the national average salary, not the employee's usual monthly salary.

In North Macedonia, labor law ensures that employees are entitled to rest periods and breaks for their well-being and productivity.

Employees are entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes after working for 6 hours. This break is unpaid and falls outside the employee's working hours. For a workday of 4 hours, the break is reduced to a minimum of 15 minutes.

In addition to breaks, employees have the right to a minimum uninterrupted rest period between workdays. This rest period is 12 hours between any two working days, ensuring sufficient time for recovery before returning to work.

North Macedonian law also mandates a weekly rest period of at least 24 hours. This rest period typically falls on Sundays but can be adjusted based on the organization's needs and the nature of the work performed.

When combined with the daily minimum rest requirement, this weekly rest period provides employees with at least 36 consecutive hours of rest each week.

Collective bargaining agreements between employers and employee unions may specify alternative arrangements for rest periods and breaks, provided they meet or exceed the minimum legal requirements.

In North Macedonia, labor law outlines specific regulations for employees working night shifts and weekends. These regulations aim to ensure fair compensation and protect worker well-being.

Night work is defined as any work performed during a timeframe established by agreement between the employer and employee organization, but typically falls between 7 pm and 6 am. Employees working night shifts are entitled to several benefits:

• Increased Pay: Night work warrants a 35% premium on top of the employee's basic hourly wage.
• Meal Provisions: Employers are obligated to provide night shift workers with appropriate food or compensate them for meal expenses. This compensation is typically set at 20% of the average salary in North Macedonia for the previous year, calculated proportionally to the number of nights worked.
• Medical Care: Employers must ensure night shift workers undergo medical examinations before commencing night work and at regular intervals thereafter.

Weekends in North Macedonia typically include Sundays, although the specific day can vary depending on the organization and work assignments. Employees are entitled to a weekly rest period of at least 24 hours.

Working weekends may be required in certain circumstances, but employees are entitled to compensation. Weekend work typically comes with a 50% increase in the employee's basic hourly rate.

These are general guidelines. Collective bargaining agreements or individual employment contracts may provide different or additional benefits for night and weekend work. If you have any questions regarding specific regulations or your entitlements, it's recommended to consult the relevant legal documentation or seek guidance from a qualified professional.