Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, the standard working hours are governed by the Employment Act 1978. The standard workweek is 44 hours long.

On a daily basis, employees typically work for eight hours, from Monday to Friday. In some industries, there may be a requirement to work a half-day on Saturday, usually for four hours between 7 am and 12 noon.

It's important to note that these are the standard working hours and any variations would be subject to the specific terms of an individual's employment contract.

In Papua New Guinea, regulations have been established to ensure fair treatment for employees who work beyond standard hours.

Overtime is defined as any work exceeding the established hours. This includes more than eight hours worked in a single day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays), working more than 44 hours within a week for shift workers, working any hours on a Saturday afternoon (after 12 noon), and working on Sundays or public holidays.

The amount of compensation for overtime work varies depending on the day worked. On weekdays (excluding Saturdays), overtime is paid at a rate of one and a half times the employee's standard hourly rate. On Saturdays (after 12 noon), overtime pay is the same as weekdays. However, working on Sundays or public holidays requires double the employee's standard hourly rate.

It's important to note that employers and employees can agree to substitute a Saturday for a Sunday for overtime pay purposes, provided it's documented in a written agreement, such as the employment contract.

Employers have the right to request a "reasonable amount" of overtime from their employees to keep the business running smoothly. However, for Sundays and public holidays, employee consent is necessary unless agreed upon by representative organizations. On the other hand, employees have the right to refuse unreasonable overtime requests. They cannot be forced to work more than 12 hours in a single day, including overtime hours.

Adhering to these regulations ensures a fair and balanced system for overtime work in Papua New Guinea.

In Papua New Guinea, the law guarantees certain minimum rest periods and breaks for workers, although not all details are explicitly defined in the primary legislation.

Weekly Rest Period

Workers are entitled to a 24-hour rest period each week. This rest period typically falls on Sunday, but can be designated as another day in an employment contract. It's important to note that there is no legal requirement for a specific daily rest period in Papua New Guinea.

Meal and Rest Breaks

While the Employment Act 1978 doesn't explicitly mention meal and rest breaks, some details can be found in the Department of Works & Implementation's Labour Management Procedures.

General guidelines state that employees who work eight hours or more in a day are entitled to one or more meal or rest periods totaling at least 50 minutes. For every five hours worked, a minimum of a 40-minute break is required.

These guidelines are from a government department and may not hold the same legal weight as legislation. It's advisable to consult the official Employment Act or seek clarification from the Department of Labour and Employment. Specific details on breaks, including frequency and duration, may be outlined in individual employment contracts or industry awards registered with the government.

In Papua New Guinea, the Employment Act 1978 provides the general framework for working hours. While there are no specific regulations solely directed towards night shifts or weekend work, the Act does outline some relevant limitations.

The legislation safeguards young workers by prohibiting those under 16 from working between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Similarly, 16 and 17-year-olds cannot be employed during these night hours unless working in a family-owned business.

It's important to note that the Act doesn't explicitly address specific requirements for employers regarding night shift work or weekend work regulations beyond the weekly limit and overtime pay.