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Seychelles

Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Understand the laws governing work hours and overtime in Seychelles

Standard working hours

The Employment Act (Conditions of Employment) Regulations 1991, along with general labor practices, set the rules for standard working hours in Seychelles.

The standard work week in Seychelles should not exceed 52 hours. Furthermore, daily working hours are capped at a maximum of 12 hours. Therefore, the legal limit for working hours in Seychelles is 52 hours per week, with a maximum of 12 hours per day.

Overtime

In Seychelles, the Employment (Conditions of Employment) Regulations, 1991, stipulates the rules and compensation for overtime work.

The regulations allow a maximum of 60 hours of overtime per month, which translates to 15 extra hours per week.

The overtime pay rates vary for regular workers, shift workers, and watchmen:

  • For regular workers (Non-Shift Workers & Watchmen):

    • On weekdays, overtime is paid at a rate of one and a half times (150%) the employee's regular wage for every hour worked.
    • On public holidays, overtime is compensated at a rate of double (200%) the employee's regular wage for every hour worked.
  • For shift workers:

    • On weekdays or Sundays, overtime is paid at a rate of one and a half times (150%) the employee's regular wage for every hour worked.
    • On public holidays, overtime is compensated at a rate of triple (300%) the employee's regular wage for every hour worked. However, the employer has the option to offer time off in lieu of cash payment. This time off must be equivalent to no more than two-thirds of the overtime hours worked. The employee and employer can agree to convert some or all of the overtime hours into cash payment if they prefer.

It's important to note that these are the minimum mandated rates. An employer and employee can reach an agreement for a higher overtime pay rate if they choose to do so.

Rest periods and breaks

Seychelles law mandates minimum rest periods and breaks for employees. Here's a breakdown of these entitlements:

Daily Rest

Employers must grant workers at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in any seven-day period according to the Employment (Conditions of Employment) Regulations 1991, Section 4 of the Seychelles Employment Act.

Breaks During Shifts

The law doesn't specify a mandated break duration within a workday. However, the daily working hour limit includes a 30-minute break. This suggests a minimum break time of at least 30 minutes.

Additional Considerations

Employers and employees can negotiate break durations through their employment contracts, provided they adhere to minimum legal requirements. Certain sectors, like healthcare or emergency services, might have different break structures due to the nature of the work.

For further details and clarifications, it's recommended to consult the Ministry of Employment or a legal professional specializing in Seychelles labor law.

Night shift and weekend regulations

In Seychelles, labor laws provide limited specific regulations regarding night shifts and weekend work.

When it comes to night shifts, there is a general absence of regulations defining night work hours or limitations on total night shift hours per week. However, the Conditions of Employment Regulations stipulate a maximum daily working limit of 12 hours, including a 30-minute break. This applies to night shifts as well. The most specific provision concerning night work involves pregnant women and recent mothers. They are prohibited from working between 10 pm and 5 am.

As for weekend work, there are no legal restrictions on mandatory weekend work in Seychelles. However, most workplaces likely follow a standard five-day workweek with weekends off.

Overall, Seychelles' labor laws offer limited specifics on night and weekend work regulations. It's advisable to consult the employee's contract or seek clarification from the employer regarding specific work schedules and any applicable compensation for night or weekend shifts.

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