How overtime is calculated in Qatar

Article 73 sets ordinary working hours at no more than 8 a day and 48 a week. In Ramadan the limit is 6 hours a day and 36 a week.

Breaks for prayer, rest and meals of between one and three hours are not counted as working hours, and no one may work more than five hours in a row.

Article 74: each overtime hour is paid at no less than the basic wage plus 25%, which is 125% of the basic hourly wage.

Work between 9 pm and 6 am is paid at no less than the basic wage plus 50%, which is 150%. This night rate does not apply to shift workers.

Ordinary hours and overtime together may not go over 10 hours a day, unless the work is needed to prevent serious loss or a dangerous accident, or to limit their effects.

The law does not say how to turn a monthly wage into an hourly one. The usual practice in Qatar is the monthly basic wage ÷ 30 days ÷ 8 hours. For a basic wage of QAR 2,400, that is QAR 10 an hour: QAR 12.50 for an overtime hour and QAR 15 for a night overtime hour.

Article 75 gives every worker a paid weekly rest of at least 24 hours in a row, usually Friday. A worker who must work on that day gets another day off and extra pay. Workers other than shift workers may not be made to work two Fridays in a row.

Article 78 applies the same rule to work on public holidays.

Under Article 76, the hours and overtime rules do not apply to people in senior posts who hold the employer's authority over other workers. Some groups, such as guards and cleaners, have hours set by the Minister instead.