Morocco

In Morocco, the standard working hours for employees are regulated by Article 184 of the Labour Code. The maximum number of standard working hours per week is established at 44 hours. The legal limit for a standard workday is set at 10 hours. The workweek can be distributed over either five or six days.

In Morocco, the Labour Law has specific rules and compensation structures for overtime work to protect employee rights.

Work is considered overtime when it surpasses the daily limit of 8 hours, the weekly limit of 44 hours, or the yearly limit in situations where annual working hours are unevenly distributed, exceeding 10 hours per day, including overtime. Companies can request up to 20 additional overtime hours if the nature of the work demands it, with a yearly maximum of 100 hours per employee.

The Labour Code stipulates varying compensation rates for overtime work. For daytime overtime, employees are entitled to a 25% premium on their base salary. For nighttime overtime, a 50% premium on the base salary is mandated. For agricultural work, the same rates apply but the time frames differ slightly.

Working overtime on a rest day or public holiday warrants a 50% premium for daytime and a 100% premium for nighttime, in addition to compensatory rest.

Overtime compensation must be included in the employee's regular salary payment. Employers must keep detailed records of all overtime hours worked by each employee.

Moroccan Labour Law provides guidelines for rest periods and breaks, aiming to foster employee well-being and work-life balance.

Weekly Rest Period

Every worker is legally entitled to a minimum of 24 consecutive hours of weekly rest. This rest day typically falls on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or the local market day.

Daily Rest Period

There is no legal minimum mandated for daily rest periods. However, the entitlement to daily rest periods can be established through collective bargaining agreements or the employer's internal regulations.

Meal Breaks

While not explicitly mandated by law, employees are entitled to take breaks to eat meals if their work schedule includes meal times. Employers have a responsibility to ensure the availability of designated areas for meal breaks.

Breaks for Shift Workers

Workers employed in successive shifts are entitled to a rest period that cannot exceed one hour.

Considerations for Specific Workers

Female employees and workers under 18 years old engaged in night work must be granted a rest period of at least 11 hours between consecutive night shifts.

In Morocco, many employees find themselves working night shifts and weekends. The specific regulations governing these work practices are outlined in the Moroccan Labor Code.

Night work is defined as any work period that includes at least seven consecutive hours between 9 pm and 6 am. There are several key points regarding night work regulations:

• Prior Agreement: Employers must obtain prior written agreement from employees before assigning them to night work.
• Reduced Hours: Night workers are entitled to a reduced workweek compared to day workers. The specific reduction is determined through collective bargaining agreements or employer-employee contracts.
• Medical Examinations: Employers must arrange periodic medical examinations for night workers to monitor their health and well-being.

The Moroccan workweek typically consists of five days, with Friday and Saturday designated as rest days. However, weekend work can be authorized under certain circumstances:

• Essential Services: Work deemed essential for national security or the public interest can be performed on weekends.
• Compensatory Rest: Weekend work must be compensated with either equivalent rest time during the week or a wage increase as outlined in collective bargaining agreements.