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Western Sahara

Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Understand the laws governing work hours and overtime in Western Sahara

Standard working hours

There is currently no universally recognized legal framework governing standard working hours in Western Sahara due to the ongoing political and territorial dispute concerning the region.

However, Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, implements its own labor code in the territory. Here's a look at relevant regulations from the Moroccan Labor Code:

  • The standard workweek in Morocco is set at 44 hours, distributed over six working days. This translates to an average of eight hours per day.

While this code is applied in Western Sahara, the legal situation surrounding labor regulations remains complex due to the unresolved territorial dispute.

Overtime

In Western Sahara, the regulations regarding overtime work are subject to the ongoing political and territorial dispute. The Moroccan Labor Code is implemented in the region, but its legal weight can be contested.

According to the Moroccan Labor Code, overtime applies in two scenarios:

  • Unequal Distribution of Work Hours: If an employee's total annual working hours exceed 2288 due to uneven distribution throughout the year, any hours exceeding that threshold are considered overtime.
  • Exceeding Weekly Limit: If working hours are calculated weekly, any time worked beyond the standard 44-hour workweek qualifies as overtime.

The Moroccan Labor Code also outlines different overtime pay rates depending on the time worked:

  • Standard Overtime Rate: For overtime worked between 6 am and 9 pm, employees are entitled to a 25% salary increase.
  • Night Overtime Rate: Overtime worked between 9 pm and 6 am incurs a higher compensation rate of 50% salary increase.
  • Rest Day Overtime: Working on the weekly rest day mandates the highest compensation, with a 100% salary increase.

However, the enforceability of these regulations in Western Sahara might be subject to debate due to the unresolved territorial conflict.

Rest periods and breaks

In Western Sahara, the entitlements to rest periods and breaks for workers are under scrutiny due to the ongoing political and territorial dispute. Although Morocco's Labor Code is applied in the region, its legal weight can be contested.

The Moroccan Labor Code outlines the rest period and break entitlements, acknowledging the complexities of the situation:

Daily Rest Break

According to Article 23 of the Moroccan Labor Code, a daily rest period of at least one hour is mandated, following a continuous work period of five hours. This break can be split into two periods of 30 minutes each, upon agreement between the employer and employee.

Weekly Rest Day

Article 24 of the Moroccan Labor Law guarantees all employees at least one full rest day per week. This rest day typically falls on Friday, in accordance with the predominant religion in Morocco.

It's important to consider that the enforceability of these regulations in Western Sahara is uncertain due to the unresolved territorial conflict. Local variations in break practices might exist, particularly in informal sectors. Therefore, consulting local legal counsel is highly recommended to gain a comprehensive understanding of rest period and break entitlements for workers in Western Sahara, considering the specific context.

Night shift and weekend regulations

Finding definitive information on specific regulations for night shift and weekend work in Western Sahara is challenging due to the territory's complex political situation. Here's a breakdown of the current landscape:

Limited local regulations exist in Western Sahara. Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara and enforces its own labor laws. However, the extent to which these laws are implemented in Western Sahara remains unclear. On the other hand, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), recognized by some countries, has established its own labor code. However, its applicability is limited due to the ongoing political conflict.

Potential regulations based on Moroccan Labor Law (assuming applicability) include:

  • Night Shift: Moroccan Labor Law No. 65-99 outlines general regulations for night work, which can be defined as work performed between 9 pm and 5 am. These regulations include:

    • Night Shift Premium: Employers must pay a night shift premium, typically a percentage increase on regular wages.
    • Health & Safety: Employers have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of night shift workers, including adequate lighting and potentially medical examinations.
  • Weekend Work: Weekend work (Saturday & Sunday) generally requires employee consent and may be subject to additional compensation.

It's important to note that this information is based on Moroccan Labor Law and might not be directly applicable in Western Sahara.

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