Doha Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 02 February 2024.
The Qatari Labour Law regulates employee work hours to prevent employees from being overworked and underpaid. A maximum number of hours per week is set, and overtime wages are guaranteed for work done over the regular hours.
This article will cover the important sections of the Qatar Labour Law on working hours, overtime payment and weekly holidays.
Articles 73 to 77 of the Qatar Labour Law (Chapter 7) are about regulations of working hours. Below are the key points of these articles:
Qatar Labour Law on Working Hours
As per Article 73 of Qatar Labour Law, the maximum limit of the regular working hours shall be forty-eight (48) hours per week and eight hours per day.
This shall be the case during all months of the year, except during the Holy month of Ramadan, where the maximum working hours shall be thirty-six (36) hours per week and six hours per day.
| Month Type | Max. Hours Per Week | Max. Hours Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum working hours (Regular months) | 48 hours per week | 8 hours per day |
| Maximum working hours (Ramadan) | 36 hours per week | 6 hours per day |
Travel Time
Working hours do not include time spent commuting between the workplace and accommodation.
Rest Time
All workers have the right to rest time of at least one hour between work hours. However, this rest time shall not be included in the calculation of the work hours.
- Work hours must include at least one hour for prayer, rest, and eating.
- The interval cannot be less than one hour or greater than three hours.
- Such intervals shall not be included in the calculation of the working hours.
- The worker should not be forced to work more than five hours continuously.
In special cases, work that can be continued uninterrupted for rest can be specified by a Ministerial decision.
Qatar Labour Law About Overtime
Any time a worker works in addition to their normal working hours is considered overtime. Article 74 of the Qatar Labour Law speaks about working overtime and the extra payment to be made in such cases.
If required, a worker can be employed for additional hours in addition to the maximum hours allowed. However, the daily working hours should not exceed ten (10) hours.
The only exception to this rule is when the work is necessary to prevent a gross loss or dangerous accident or to repair or mitigate the effects of such loss or accident.
Overtime Payment For Extra Hours
Workers who are required to work overtime (beyond their regular hours) are entitled to receive overtime pay. As per the law:
“The Employer shall pay the Workers for the additional working hours a payment that shall not be less than the payable Basic Wage for the normal working hours plus an extra pay not less than (25%) thereof.”
This means, for the additional working hours, the employer shall pay the workers a payment not less than the applicable basic wage plus a bonus of not less than (25%) of the basic wage. In effect, the pay rate should be at least 125% of the normal hourly wage.
For example, a worker whose regular pay is QR 20 per hour should be paid at least QR 25 per hour (QR 20 x 125/100) for overtime work.
Overtime Payment For Night Work
Workers who work overtime during the night are eligible for extra payment than normal overtime rates. Qatar Labour Law further states:
“The Employer shall also pay the Workers working between nine PM, and six AM the payable Basic Wage plus a payment not less than (50%) thereof, except Workers working on shift schedules.”
As per this rule, workers who work overtime between 9 PM and 6 AM shall be eligible for at least 150% of the normal hourly wage. Note that this rule does not apply to workers on shift schedules.
Taking the earlier example, a worker whose regular pay is QR 20 per hour should be paid at least QR 30 per hour (QR 20 x 150/100) for any overtime work done between 9 PM and 6 AM.
Qatar Labour Law About Weekly Holiday
Article 75 of the Qatar Labour Law speaks about the weekly paid rest day:
“The Worker shall be given a weekly paid rest which shall not be less than twenty-four successive hours, and Friday shall be the weekly rest day for all Workers, except those working on shift schedules.”
The law clearly states that all workers are entitled to at least one day of rest in a week. For all workers (except those on shift schedule), the rest day should be Friday.
Compensation For Working During Rest Day
In circumstances when the worker is required to work during the rest day:
- The worker should be compensated with another day to rest,
- And the worker shall be paid for working on such day the wage payable to him for the normal weekly rest day, or he shall be paid his basic wage plus an extra payment that shall be at least the equivalent of (150%) of his wage.
Working on Successive Fridays
Except for workers working on a shift schedule, it is prohibited to employ the worker for more than two successive Fridays.
Schedule of Work Hours
According to Article 77, the employer is responsible for posting a schedule of the working days, weekly rest days, work hours and rest intervals for all categories of workers.
This schedule should be posted on:
- a) the main gates used by workers, and
- b) in a prominent place in the workplace.
The employer should also notify the Labour Department with a copy of this schedule.
Exemption To These Rules
Articles 73, 74, and 75 of this Law do not apply to persons occupying key positions if such positions allow the occupants to enjoy the powers of the Employer over the Workers.
Also, the provisions of Article 73 shall not apply to the following categories:
- Workers carrying out preparatory and complementary works that must be carried out before or after the working time.
- Security guards and cleaning workers.
- The other categories of workers and the maximum working hours limit can be specified by a decision from the Minister of Labour.
Please note that the Qatar Labour Law rules do not apply to domestic workers and those under personal sponsorship. The rules for employees at public sector companies and government workers are also not covered under the Labour Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate overtime as per Qatar Labour Law?
As per Qatar Labour Law, overtime payment should be at least 125% of regular hourly pay. In the case of working overtime between 9 pm and 6 am, this should be at least 150% of regular hourly pay.
Am I eligible for overtime pay during the shift schedule?
Workers on shift schedules are not eligible for overtime pay for their regular shift hours. Only the time worked above the regular shift is eligible for overtime.
How many hours can my employer ask me to work in a week?
The maximum working hours shall be 48 hours per week and 8 hours per day. During Ramadan, this should be a maximum of 36 hours per week and 6 hours per day. If you are working more than 8 hours a day, you are eligible for overtime pay.
Related Articles:
- How To Calculate End of Service Gratuity
- Qatar Labour Law on Annual Leave and Holidays
- Qatar Labour Law on Sick Leave and Maternity Leave
- Minimum Wage in Qatar: Everything You Need To Know
- How To Change Job in Qatar Without NOC
- Guide To Qatar Wage Protection System WPS
- 3 Ways To Easily Check Travel Ban in Qatar
Copyright © DohaGuides.com – Full or partial reproduction of this article in any language is prohibited.
Disclaimer: The information posted above should only be used as a reference. For more updated guidelines, please contact Qatar Labour and the appropriate authorities.
Reference: Qatar Legal Portal
Hello Gooday sir. I want to resign my job but am not completed my probation period.i join here 2 months before I don’t like this job, so I can resign my job?. if I do that how about procedure. please tell me
Hi Vinoth, Please check: https://www.dohaguides.com/how-expatriates-can-change-job-in-qatar/
Dear Qatar Ministry of Labour,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to seek clarification regarding my employment situation as a security guard. I have noticed that I am currently working for 12 hours a day, but my monthly salary is only Qr1872. In comparison, when I work for 8 hours, I receive Qr1500. According to the Qatari Labour Law, the maximum working hours should be 10 hours, with overtime pay calculated at an hourly rate multiplied by 125%. I am concerned that these figures do not add up, and I feel like I am being exploited.
Additionally, I came across Article 73 which states that the Labour Law does not include domestic workers and employees under personal sponsorship. Could you please clarify if this exemption applies to security guards as well?
I appreciate your attention to these matters and look forward to your response.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Thuita chege
Hi Thuita, Please contact the Ministry of Labour helpline or through complaints portal. Here are the details: https://www.dohaguides.com/labour-complaint-in-qatar/
My son has just found out he is not allowed any leave in his first year of work!!!! And is it any wonder that Qatar is accused of human rights violations!!!!
Slm. Good day. How many hours should I rest when moving from night shift to day shift?
Hi Sergey, It is not specifically mentioned in the law. You can check with the Labour Department helpline on 16505.
Slm. Good day Sir/Ma. I wanted to come down to Qatar soon insha Allah but am now asking ur advise what should I suppose to do now.
Hi Imam, If you are looking for a job, you can apply for job vacancies online. Here is a helpful guide: https://www.dohaguides.com/find-a-job-in-qatar/
Hi,
Consider this a request to inform me of my options right now. I am an engineer working on a road project in Qatar and received my letter of termination today.
My concern regarding the following advice
1. The company did not pay my salary for the previous four months, and they have not given me any information on when I might expect those payments.
2.offer letter mentioning one month’s notice and the fact that I have been employed by this organisation for five years.
3. They will cancel my visa after the notice period is through; how can I obtain my salary and gratuity?
Hi Salman, As per law all dues should be settled before cancelling visa. It seems you will have to file a labour complaint (if company refuses to pay). Meanwhile don’t sign any paper that says you have received your dues. Some companies force employees to sign such paper.
have worked in Qatar for seven years as security guard..and in every 2yrs i go my country for vacation but my company they give only one ticket without returning ticket so am asking is this the law of Qatar or for this company
Hi Dismas, You need to check your labour contract to see what is mentioned.
Hello sir/madam
I work 11hrs per day and 1 day off per month at salary 1000Qr what can I do please
Hi Ali, If you are not paid as per your work, you can file a labour complaint.
Assalamualikum, i want to know that we work overtime 2 hours per day and our company they r not giving us overtime, instead of overtime they give us half days. they not pay us overtime salery but tbey give us some other day off. what should we do. please inform about this . thanks
Hi sir I want to ask about the cutting salary this is allowed in the labor to cut our salary 150 and above bcus my campany they told us this the labor low and they are not giving our over time if we are not rich for the target
Hi Crazel, The salary should be paid as per the contract. Company cannot cut your salary without any reason. They can deduct salary in some situations (eg. you take unpaid leave or work less hours).
Hello please my contact was a carpenter and the basic is Qr 1000 and Qr 300 for food that make Qr 1300 and 8 hours working 4days off in a month, but for 1 year 3months they have putting me into security guard work, I work 12 hours a day and 1day off in a month no overtime but only Qr 100 that they have add to my basic and food allowance total Qr 1400, now I have canceled my contact, please can I request for all the 4 hours I worked as my overtime working?, or what should I do?, please help me to understand.
Hi Nana, You can file a labour complaint using any of the below methods: https://www.dohaguides.com/labour-complaint-in-qatar/
DOES OVERTIME WORKING IS MANDATORY OR CHOICE OF EMPLOYEE ?
IF an employee cannot able to work more than 8 hrs per day what should be done?
Hi Uttam, Employer cannot force employee to work overtime. It is up to the employee to decide if he wants to work overtime or not. You can file a labour complaint if your employer forces you.
Hello have worked in company for more than 5years but different basic salary and project how will the company calcute my end of service gradunity is it based with current basic salary or will be splinted into two
Hi Erickson, The last basic salary at the time of resignation or termination is considered. You can find more here: https://www.dohaguides.com/calculate-end-of-service-gratuity-qatar/
Hi sir
For calcution Friday overtime the basic salary will be divided on 26 days or 30 days ?
Hi Kaleem, The per hour rate is calculated as: Total basic salary for the month / total working hours in the month.
Good day!
Sir/ma’am,I have a concern about my job I applied as a butcher(indicates in my contract) and my visa is a cashier’s and then the company force us to take overtime and didn’t pay it. they say take it as pending but sometimes they are not going to gave it and no holiday also.we work more than 10hrs a day.double shift 6am to 2pm and then 7pm to 12midnight and sometimes overtime until 2am.Can you advise me if I have the right to complain in Qatar labour law office.Thank you!
Hi Chrisanto, You have all rights to file a complaint. It is better to get some evidence before you file a complaint.
Are Doctors on-call from home during public holidays entitled to be compensated?
Hi Veronic, It is not specifically mentioned in the Labour Law. Will depend on your HR policy.
Dear sir,
Please advise the OT presentage calculations of normal days and holidays. Is it in normal working days 1.25 extra with basic normal hours basic salary after 8 hours and holidays it will come 1.50 full day total working hours.
Hi John, On normal days OT is 1.25 for extra hours. For holidays, it is 1.50 for the full duration.
Overtime is applicable for office staff?
Hi Uday, It is applicable if mentioned in your employment contract. Other wise you need not work more than the regular work hours.
If company not pay overtime properly & if our side manager cut our overtime intentionally then how can i complaine about it
Hi Ove, Please check: https://www.dohaguides.com/labour-complaint-in-qatar/
We are working for 12hours and given 2hours overtime only,is that right as per Qatar labor laws?
We are are working 12 hours and Friday my
salary is 2500 driving duty
I’m working 19 days a month and 12 hours a day without overtime is it in the Qatar labour law
Hi Joseph, As per the law, you are supposed to receive overtime payment.
I have one year and one month in my contract but I want to change a job but my sponsor refused to give me NOC what can I do
what should we do if our company forced us to duty almost 16 hours per day
and 3 months now no dayoff.and not pay right per hour in overtime.they pay only 5QR per hour
Hi William, You can file a complaint with Ministry of Labour.
Can I change my sponsir even I’m just 2 months? Because my employer he didn’t pay overtime and 12 hours duty. Need your advise. Thanks
Hi Simple, If you have a job offer, you can apply for a change of sponsor.