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Cambodia

Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Understand the laws governing work hours and overtime in Cambodia

Standard working hours

In Cambodia, the labor law provides clear guidelines for standard working hours, aiming to strike a balance between the well-being of employees and the needs of employers.

The Law on Labor Relations (Article 137) sets the maximum standard working hours at 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. When it comes to work schedules, if split shifts are implemented, employers are generally allowed to establish only two shifts, one in the morning and another in the afternoon (Article 138). The Law on Labor Relations serves as the primary legal reference for these regulations.

Enterprises are given the flexibility to determine specific working hours within the legal limits. This may include setting start and end times for the workday, with a one-hour lunch break provided for employees working eight consecutive hours.

By adhering to these regulations, employers in Cambodia can ensure compliance with labor laws and contribute to a fair and healthy work environment.

Overtime

In Cambodia, labor law ensures fair treatment for employees by outlining the regulations and compensation for overtime work.

Overtime work requires the employee's consent and cannot be mandatory. The maximum daily overtime allowed is 2 hours, bringing the total working day to a maximum of 10 hours. Employers must obtain prior permission from the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training before implementing overtime.

Overtime work is compensated at a premium rate. This includes 150% of the regular wage for overtime on weekdays during the day. Additionally, 200% of the regular wage is given for overtime on Sundays and public holidays.

Rest periods and breaks

Cambodian labor law guarantees rest periods and breaks for workers, promoting well-being and preventing fatigue.

Employees working 8 consecutive hours are entitled to a minimum one-hour lunch break. This break allows for rest and recuperation during the workday.

All employees must receive at least one full day (24 hours) of rest per week. Sundays are typically designated as the weekly rest day, but exceptions exist.

Employers can deviate from Sundays for weekly rest under specific circumstances. These circumstances include when having all staff take Sundays off would disrupt public services or when it's necessary for the normal functioning of the business. Alternative arrangements for the weekly rest day include granting the day off on another weekday, providing a rest period from Sunday noon to Monday noon, or implementing a rotating schedule for staff rest days.

Night shift and weekend regulations

In Cambodia, labor law acknowledges the unique demands of night and weekend work. Here are the specific regulations for these situations:

Night work is defined as a period of at least 11 consecutive hours that includes the interval between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am. Night work is compensated at a premium rate of 130% of the regular wage. Any overtime work performed during a night shift is subject to a higher premium rate of 200% of the regular wage. Employers are required to provide accommodation or transportation for employees finishing work at night. It's important to note that children under 18 cannot be employed for night work.

As for weekend work, all employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 consecutive hours of rest per week, typically on Sundays. Deviations from Sundays for the weekly rest day are allowed under specific circumstances with Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training approval. Overtime work performed on Sundays and public holidays is compensated at a premium rate of 200% of the regular wage.

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