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Qatar

Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Understand the laws governing work hours and overtime in Qatar

Standard working hours

In Qatar, the labor law provides a structure for working hours, safeguarding employee rights and fostering a balanced work-life environment. The key regulations are as follows:

The standard workweek is set at 48 hours, spread over a maximum of six days. This equates to a maximum of eight hours per workday.

There are certain exceptions and reductions to these standard working hours. For instance, during the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours per week, or six hours per day.

It's important to note that working hours exceeding ten hours per day are generally not permitted. However, exceptions can be made in specific circumstances, such as preventing a major loss or accident.

Overtime

In Qatar, overtime is defined as any hours worked beyond the standard working hours. Employers can request a maximum of 2 hours of overtime per day, with a total daily working time not exceeding 10 hours (including standard working hours). There is no explicit mention of a weekly overtime limit in the Qatar Labor Law. However, exceeding the daily limits should be infrequent and only in exceptional circumstances.

Employers can ask employees to work more than 10 hours a day but only in emergencies to prevent "gross loss or dangerous accidents or for mitigation of the consequences of the said loss or accidents".

Employees are entitled to an hourly rate of at least 125% of their basic wage for any overtime work. The calculation for this is as follows:

Basic salary / 26 / 8 x OT hours x 1.25 = Overtime amount (on normal working days)

Working on your designated rest day comes with the highest overtime pay, at 150% of your basic wage on top of your regular pay for that day. The formula for this is:

Basic salary / 26 / 8hrs x 1.50 = Overtime amount (on Off day)

These are the minimum required rates. Employment contracts or company policies may offer higher overtime pay.

Rest periods and breaks

In Qatar, the Labour Law outlines the minimum requirements for rest periods and breaks for workers.

Employees who work at least six hours per day are entitled to one or more breaks totaling at least one hour for prayers, meals, and rest. This break is typically unpaid unless otherwise agreed upon in the employment contract.

All workers are entitled to one rest day per week, with Friday being the standard day off for most employees. Shift workers may have a different designated rest day. If a worker is required to work on their designated rest day, they are entitled to a day off in lieu and additional pay.

During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours per week (6 hours per day). There should be one or more break intervals during this period to accommodate prayer and meal times, although the total break duration is not explicitly stated in the law.

The Ministry of Labour may regulate working hours during the hot summer months, potentially mandating breaks or restricting outdoor work during peak heat hours.

Night shift and weekend regulations

In Qatar, the Labour Law provides specific regulations for night shifts and weekend work.

For night shift work, the law defines it as any hours worked between 9 pm and 6 am. Employers are required to compensate employees working night shifts with an additional payment on top of their base wage. For workers who are not habitually on night shifts, the additional payment is not less than 50% of their base wage. On the other hand, for workers on a regular night shift schedule, the additional payment is not less than 25% of their base wage.

As for weekend work, every worker is entitled to a minimum of 24 consecutive hours of weekly rest. By default, Friday is the designated weekly rest day for all workers. However, there might be situations where work on the rest day becomes necessary. In such cases, the employee must be compensated with another rest day in exchange for working on the designated rest day. If a worker is required to work on their designated rest day, they must be paid an increased wage, which is not less than 150% of their base wage, on top of their regular wage for that day. With some exceptions, employees cannot be required to work more than two consecutive Fridays.

This is a general overview of the regulations. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, it's advisable to consult the official Qatari Labour Law.

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