Working Hours and Overtime in Bahrain

In Bahrain, your company must comply with working hour and overtime laws – including daily limits, overtime thresholds, and rest requirements – to stay compliant and build a strong employee experience.

Employers should design work schedules around the statutory 8-hour day and 48-hour week, apply reduced hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan, and ensure that any work beyond these limits is treated as overtime with the correct premium pay. Looking ahead to 2026, regulators are expected to continue focusing on accurate timekeeping, protection of vulnerable workers such as minors and night workers, and enforcement against excessive hours that compromise health and safety.

To remain compliant, you should maintain clear written policies, obtain prior approval for overtime, and keep reliable records of hours worked, breaks, and rest days. Regular internal audits, manager training, and transparent communication with employees will help you respond to any future updates in Bahraini labour law and demonstrate good-faith compliance during inspections or disputes.

• Standard Working Hours
• Overtime Thresholds
• Overtime Pay Rates
• Daily And Weekly Rest Requirements
• Night Work Restrictions
• Penalties For Non-Compliance

What Are The Standard Working Hours In Bahrain?

An employee whose age is 15 or younger has a maximum of 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week. An employee whose age is 16 or older is allowed to work 48 hours per week. A minimum meal interval of 30 minutes must be observed by employees who work more than 6 consecutive hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 8:00 to 16:00.

Maximum Working Hours In Bahrain

Under Bahraini labour law, the general limit for adult employees is 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week, spread over a maximum of 6 working days. During the month of Ramadan, Muslim employees benefit from reduced hours – typically 6 hours per day and 36 hours per week – without any reduction in pay. Working time must be recorded accurately, and employers should structure schedules so that employees do not exceed these statutory limits except under clearly defined overtime arrangements.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

• Continuous Process Industries Such As Oil And Gas
• Hospitality, Hotels, And Restaurants
• Healthcare And Emergency Services
• Security, Guarding, And Surveillance Services
• Transport, Ports, And Aviation Operations

Managerial And Exempt Employees

Senior managerial and supervisory employees in Bahrain may be treated differently from rank-and-file staff for working time and overtime purposes, particularly where they have authority over hiring, discipline, or budgeting and are paid higher salaries to reflect this responsibility. While the statutory framework on maximum hours and rest still provides a baseline for health and safety, employers often agree contractually that such employees are not entitled to overtime pay and are expected to work the hours necessary to fulfil their role. To reduce risk, employers should clearly define exempt roles, document expectations in the employment contract, and avoid misclassifying employees who do not genuinely exercise managerial or supervisory authority.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours In Bahrain

Full-time employment in Bahrain is generally based on 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week, with one mandatory weekly rest day – usually Friday – and reduced hours for Muslim employees during Ramadan. Employers should specify the normal working schedule in the employment contract, including start and finish times, weekly rest day, and any shift patterns. Any work beyond the agreed and statutory limits should be treated as overtime, tracked separately, and compensated in line with Bahraini labour law.

Overtime Regulations In Bahrain

What Counts As Overtime In Bahrain?

In Bahrain, overtime is generally any time worked by an employee beyond the statutory limit of 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week, or beyond the shorter daily limits that apply during Ramadan for Muslim employees. Work performed on the employee’s weekly rest day or on official public holidays is also treated as overtime and attracts enhanced pay. Overtime must be requested or approved by the employer, recorded accurately, and should not be used as a routine substitute for proper staffing levels.

Maximum Overtime In Bahrain

Bahraini labour law places limits on how much overtime an employee can perform to protect health and safety. As a general guide, daily working time including overtime should not exceed 10 hours, and overtime should be used only when necessary for business continuity or exceptional workload peaks. Employers should monitor cumulative overtime over weeks and months, ensure that employees still receive their daily and weekly rest, and avoid patterns of excessive hours that could be considered an abuse of the overtime provisions.

Overtime Payout Rates In Bahrain

Overtime in Bahrain must be compensated at premium rates calculated on the employee’s basic hourly wage. For overtime worked on a normal working day, employees are typically entitled to at least 125% of their basic hourly rate. For work performed on weekly rest days or public holidays, the premium is higher – commonly at least 150% of the basic hourly rate – and may also include a compensatory rest day. Night work overtime, usually defined as work performed between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., may attract additional premiums. Employers should set out clear overtime rates and calculation methods in contracts and policies, ensure payroll systems apply the correct multipliers, and keep detailed records of hours worked and payments made.

Rest Periods And Breaks In Bahrain

Employees in Bahrain typically work up to 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week, and the law links rest periods and breaks directly to these limits by requiring meal breaks during longer shifts, daily rest between working days, and at least one weekly rest day so that total working time remains within safe and reasonable boundaries.

• Meal Break Requirements
• Daily Rest
• Weekly Rest
• Minors
• Employer Duties