Qatar Labour Law on Working Hours and Overtime: Article 73 (2025)
Qatar’s government has been working on the country’s development and human rights by providing basic rights to its citizens. There are official Working hours and overtime Labour law in Qatar for all workers. The government has strictly made the rules for the employees and employers.
Qatar Labour law sets rules for employees’ working hours per week and covers overtime, which includes paying the worker for additional hours worked. You need to know about the rights provided to you by the ministry. This article will explain every detail of Qatar Labour Law on working hours and overtime, so let’s get into it to understand the concept of working hours and overtime under Qatar Labour law.
Latest Working Hours and Overtime Update
- The standard workweek is 48 hours, with a maximum of 8 hours daily.
- During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 36 hours per week or 6 hours per day.
- Employees are entitled to at least one day off per week, typically on Fridays.
- No employee should work more than two consecutive Fridays.
- After five continuous hours of work, employees must take a break of at least one hour.
What is meant by the working hours?
Working hours are also known as daily office routines or the specified time the worker performs the job and fulfils the duty. A country’s working hours are mentioned in the law, and workers and employees must follow them.
Purpose of working hours
Qatar Labour Law on Working Hours: Article 73
According to Article 73 of Qatar labour law, the ministry has set some working hours and some rules for workers which are given as:
| Month Type | Hours Per Week | Hours Per Day |
| Regular Month | 48 hours | 8 Hours |
| Ramdan | 36 Hours | 6 Hours |
This article clearly explains that workers are allowed only 8 hours of working time per day and only 6 hours during Ramadan. The employer must follow the rules and not force his workers to work more than that hour. You can track Ramadan schedule for your knowledge.
Travel Time as Working hour
NO, according to Qatar Labour Law, the travel time between home and work is not considered working hours. According to Article 73, it is clear that the time spent by the worker in travel to and from the place of work and his residence shall not form a part of working hours.
Qatar Labour Law on Weekday Holidays & Rest Time
- According to Article 75, all the workers are entitled to at least one full day of paid rest each week. The weekly rest day is Friday, for all employers except shift workers. The rest day shall not be less than 24 hours.
Note: It is prohibited to employ the worker for more than two successive Fridays except for workers on shift schedules.
- During the working day, it is mandatory to give the employer a minimum 1-hour to a maximum 3-hour break so that they can feel relaxed.
- Working daybreak intervals shall not be calculated in Working Hours.
Note: Workers should not be forced to work more than 5 hours Continuously.
Schedule of Working Hours
The setting of the schedule is very important which the employees must follow, and they plan their working hours according to the schedule. The following protocols should be considered:
- The schedule must be posted by the employer.
The schedule should be posted on the
- At a visible place in the office like a notice board etc.
- At the entrance gate used by employees.
Qatar Labour Law about Ramadan
Ramadan is a religious month in which Muslims fast during the day so there are some protocols that there are some protocols to be followed:
- During Ramadan, the working hour has been reduced to 6 hours per day.
- An employee who works at least six hours per day is entitled to one or more intervals for prayers, meals, and rest of at least one hour.
What is meant by overtime?
Overtime refers to the additional hours an employee works beyond their regular working hours. Overtime is usually not encouraged by the labour law, but the worker can do over hours in case the company is facing a gross loss or some other reason. Qatar has many laws such as wage protection, annual leave etc.
Qatar Labour Hour on Overtiming: (Article 75)
As per Article 75, the employees are allowed to do overtime, but they should be paid according to the conditions which are explained below:
- Working Hours should not exceed 10 Hours per day
- Overtime is only allowed to prevent the company from gross loss.
- The worker should be paid for additional working hours.
The payment of workers will follow the given chart:
| Payment For Extra Working Hours The employer shall pay the workers for additional workers for additional working hours a payment that shall not be less than the payable basic wage for normal working hours plus an extra pay shall not less than 25%. | Payment For Extra Working Hours The employer shall pay the workers for additional workers for additional working hours a payment that shall not be less than the payable basic wage for normal working hours plus an extra pay shall not be less than 25%. | Compensation For Working During Rest Day: The worker shall be paid for working on the rest day of the week, it shall be paid his basic wage plus an extra that shall be at least 150% of his wage. |
| You can calculate your payment as: Salary amount per hour x 125/100 | You can calculate your payment as: Salary per Hour x 150/100 | You can calculate your payment as: Salary Per Hour x 150/100 |
Exception of these rules to
These rules are not applied to the employers whose positions allow them to enjoy their authority:
- Some workers have to work at odd hours, such as security guards and cleaners. The ministry will mention their working hours.
- These rules also don’t apply to the workers under personal sponsorship.
Conclusion
These all rules are made for the employees, by these rules and laws the government ensures the rights and safety of workers so that they can afford their expenses and also have healthy physical and mental health. By the follow up of these rules, a healthy and great office environment can be created, and the workers can also provide valuable time to their families.
Qatar made it clear for everyone about minimum wage, wage protection, sick leave and their annual leave policy as well. You can get help from those laws to protect yourself.
