In Rwanda, as of June 13, 2023, the working hour regulations have been updated. The Rwandan Labour Code establishes a maximum legal working week of 40 hours. This means that all hours exceeding 40 are considered beyond the standard working hours. It's worth noting that previously, the legal working week was 45 hours.

While the Labour Code doesn't dictate specific daily working hours, a communication from the Prime Minister's Office on November 11, 2022, recommends a standard workday of 8 hours. This translates to working from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with a one-hour lunch break, but with some flexibility. However, this recommended schedule (8:00 am - 5:00 pm) is not yet a formal Ministerial Order, but it is generally followed in practice.

The Labour Code also acknowledges that working hours may differ based on specific job functions. Article 49 allows employers and employees to agree on a workweek shorter than the legal maximum of 40 hours.

In Rwanda, any hours worked beyond the legal working week of 45 hours or the contracted hours if less than 45, are considered overtime.

Rwandan law mandates overtime compensation, but the specific rate depends on several factors. For the 46th to 55th hour worked, the pay is increased by 50% of the base salary. Beyond the 55th hour, the pay is increased by 70% of the base salary. It's important to note that overtime premium pay is calculated based on the base salary, excluding allowances and benefits.

Specific industries or professions may have collective bargaining agreements that establish different overtime arrangements. These agreements must be revised annually. There's a general limit of 30 days of overtime work per employee unless otherwise stipulated in the employment contract.

Rwandan law prioritizes rest periods for overtime work. Ideally, employers should provide paid time off equal to the overtime hours worked within a one-month timeframe. If compensatory time off isn't provided within a month, employees are entitled to premium pay for overtime work as per the agreed terms in their employment contract.

The legislation determining labor rules in Rwanda is Law No. 10/2003 of 2 August 2003. This guide is intended for informational purposes only and shouldn't be misconstrued as legal advice.

Rwandan labor law outlines specific entitlements for rest periods and breaks for employees. Here's a breakdown of these entitlements based on official regulations:

Weekly Rest Period

• Minimum Duration: Workers are entitled to a minimum of 24 consecutive hours of rest per week.
• Preferred Day: The weekly rest period typically falls on Sundays, though exceptions may exist.

Daily Rest Breaks

• Legislation: There's no statutory daily rest period mandated in Rwanda.

Key Takeaways:

• Rwandan employees have a guaranteed minimum of 24 consecutive hours of rest per week, typically on Sundays.
• There's no mandated daily rest break duration.
• Employers have some discretion in scheduling breaks.

In Rwanda, the labor law does not provide specific details regarding night and weekend work. However, it does establish a 45-hour workweek which includes working hours during the day, night, weekends, and official holidays. Employers are required to create a work schedule specifying working hours within this limit, in consultation with staff representatives.

In cases of urgent work, exceptional circumstances, or seasonal demands, employers can require employees to work overtime. Instead of monetary compensation, the law mandates paid time off. Employers must provide an equivalent number of rest hours for the overtime worked within a one-month period. If this isn't fulfilled within 30 days, workers are entitled to overtime pay calculated based on their basic salary, excluding allowances.

While the Labour Law doesn't explicitly mention night work allowances, there's room for negotiation. Workers can negotiate for a premium on night shift hours within their employment contracts, as overtime pay is based on an agreement between the employer and employee.