Jordan

In Jordan, the labor law provides a structure for standard working hours, while also offering some flexibility. Here are the key regulations:

Legal Maximums

• Daily: Working hours should not exceed 8 hours per day.
• Weekly: The maximum legal working week is 48 hours, spread across six days.
• Exceptions: Employees in hotels, restaurants, and cinemas can be contracted for up to 54 hours per week under the same legal framework.

Daily Working Hour Distribution

The 48-hour weekly limit can be distributed flexibly throughout the week, as long as the daily working hours don't exceed 11 hours.

Jordan's Labour Law No. (8) of 1996, amended by Law No. (14) of 2019, governs overtime work regulations and compensation. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

Overtime Eligibility and Pay

Employees in Jordan can be asked to work overtime with their consent. Overtime pay is mandatory for any hours exceeding the daily or weekly limits.

Overtime Pay Rates

The minimum overtime pay rate is 125% of the regular wage for exceeding daily or weekly limits. Working on rest days or official holidays earns an even higher minimum rate of 150%.

Maximum Overtime Limits

The maximum annual overtime allowed is 30 days. Daily working hours during overtime periods cannot exceed 10 hours.

In Jordan, the Labour Law ensures that workers are entitled to rest periods and breaks, which are crucial for their well-being and productivity.

Workers are entitled to a minimum break of one hour after every four consecutive hours of work. While employers have some discretion in scheduling these breaks, the total working time, excluding breaks, cannot exceed eight hours per day.

Friday is the designated weekly rest day in Jordan, unless the nature of the work necessitates otherwise. However, specific sectors, with ministerial approval, can have alternative rest days.

Workers, with the consent of their employer, can accumulate weekly rest days and use them as extended leave within a one-month period.

Weekly rest days are generally paid holidays if the employee worked for six consecutive days before the rest day. Partial payment is provided for working three or more days before the rest day.

Jordanian Labour Law acknowledges the unique requirements of night and weekend work. Here's a summary of the regulations related to these work schedules:

Night Shift Work:

• Definition: Night shift is generally defined as working hours that fall partially or entirely between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. While not explicitly defined in Jordanian law, this timeframe aligns with common practices.

• Legally Sanctioned: Night work is allowed under Jordanian Labour Law.

• No Specific Premium Pay: Jordanian law doesn't require a specific night shift premium pay on top of regular wages. However, employers can offer night shift allowances at their discretion to compensate for the disruption to workers' sleep schedules.

• Health and Safety Considerations: Employers have a duty to ensure a safe work environment for night shift workers, which may involve measures like proper lighting, breaks for alertness, and access to necessary facilities.

Weekend Work:

• Standard Rest Day: Friday is the standard weekly rest day in Jordan.

• Exceptions with Approval: Certain sectors, with prior approval from the Ministry of Labour, can have alternative rest days.

• Overtime Pay: Working on the designated weekly rest day (Friday for most sectors) qualifies for overtime pay. The minimum overtime rate in such cases is 150% of the regular wage.

Key Takeaways:

• Night shift work is legal in Jordan but doesn't have a mandated premium pay.
• Working on the designated weekly rest day triggers mandatory overtime pay.
• Employers should prioritize worker well-being through appropriate scheduling and safety measures for night and weekend work.