Iraq

In Iraq, the standard working hours for employees are regulated by Labor Law No. 71 of 1987. The law establishes a maximum of eight working hours per day. Furthermore, standard workweeks should not exceed six days.

There are certain exceptions and considerations to these standard working hours. For instance, working hours for public sector employees are determined by the head of each ministry and might differ from the private sector.

During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are generally reduced to six hours per day.

Iraqi labor law permits overtime work, but it is subject to specific regulations concerning hours and compensation.

The regulations for overtime work are as follows:

• The total working hours, including overtime, should not exceed ten in a single day.
• For shift workers, overtime is limited to a maximum of one hour per day.
• Overtime can extend up to four hours per day for preparatory or complementary work related to industrial activities and for handling situations of "extraordinary work". The exact definition of "extraordinary work" is not provided in the law.
• There is a maximum annual threshold for overtime, but the specific number of hours is determined by the Ministry of Labor. The details of this limit are not specified in the law.

Regarding overtime compensation:

• Overtime work is compensated at a rate of 1.5 times the employee's regular hourly wage.
• When overtime work falls under specific categories, the compensation rises to double the regular wage. This applies to overtime involving arduous or harmful work conditions.
• If an employee works on their designated weekly day of rest, they are entitled to a compensatory day of rest on another day of the week.

In Iraq, labor law ensures that employees are given rest periods and breaks throughout their workday.

Workers are legally entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes, but no more than 60 minutes, after a maximum of five consecutive hours of work. The employer has some discretion in scheduling these breaks, but they must ensure no work period exceeds five hours without a break. These breaks are intended for rest, meals, and prayer.

The allocated break periods are not included in the employee's total working hours. This means employees are not obligated to work during their breaks.

Female employees are afforded an additional minimum rest period of eleven consecutive hours between workdays. This includes a mandatory seven hours of rest between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am. Employers are responsible for providing a suitable resting place for female employees according to the nature of the work.

It's always best practice to consult with legal counsel or the latest version of Labor Law No. 71 of 1987 for the most current information on rest period and break regulations in Iraq.

Iraq's labor laws have specific regulations for night shifts and weekend work, designed to protect workers' health and well-being while ensuring business continuity.

Night work is generally defined as work performed outside regular working hours, typically between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. This work is considered overtime and requires increased compensation. The Iraqi Labor Law mandates a 100% pay premium for work performed during nighttime hours. There are also limitations on the number of consecutive night shifts an employee can work. Employers cannot require employees to work extended periods on night shifts without breaks.

The Iraqi workweek typically consists of five days, with Friday and Saturday designated as rest days. Weekend work is permitted under specific circumstances, but it requires prior employee consent. Employers must obtain written permission from the employee before scheduling them to work on weekends. Similar to night shifts, weekend work mandates increased compensation. The Iraqi Labor Law does not specify a fixed rate, but it allows for negotiations between the employer and employee. Weekend work typically comes with a pay premium or compensatory rest days in lieu of additional pay.

It's important to note that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq may have separate regulations governing night and weekend work. It's advisable to consult relevant regional labor laws for specific details applicable in the Kurdistan Region.