Working Hours and Overtime in Bangladesh

What Are the Standard Working Hours in Bangladesh?

In Bangladesh, the standard working hours are clearly defined to ensure a balance between work and personal life. Here's an overview:

 
• Employees aged 14–18: Legally permitted to work up to 6 hours per day and 36 hours per week.
 
• Employees aged 18 and above: Allowed to work up to 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week.
 
• Maximum permissible working hours: Up to 10 hours per day and 60 hours per week, including overtime, with an average of 56 hours per week over the year.
 
• Meal intervals: A minimum 30-minute break is required for every 5 hours of continuous work.
 
• Typical working hours: Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Maximum Working Hours in Bangladesh

According to the Bangladesh Labour Act, the legal cap on working hours is 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. Employers can extend working hours to 10 hours per day and 60 hours per week, including overtime, provided the average weekly hours do not exceed 56 over the year. Overtime beyond the standard limits requires prior approval from the Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishments.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

Certain industries in Bangladesh have unique working hour regulations:

 
• Garment Sector: Employers are permitted to extend workers' overtime by 2 hours, totaling up to 4 hours of overtime daily, during periods of increased orders. Workers must be compensated at double the regular wage for overtime hours.
 
• Healthcare: Employees may work extended hours due to the nature of the industry, often exceeding standard working hours.
 
• Transportation: Railway staff, for instance, have historically worked beyond scheduled hours, leading to disputes over overtime pay and pension benefits. These exceptions are typically governed by industry-specific regulations or agreements.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

Managerial and exempt employees, often classified as "white-collar" workers, may not be subject to the standard working hour regulations. Their working hours and overtime eligibility are usually determined by their employment contracts and company policies. It's important for employers to clearly define these terms to avoid legal ambiguities.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in Bangladesh

Full-time employment in Bangladesh is generally defined as working 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. This standard applies across various industries, though specific sectors may have adjusted hours based on operational needs.

Overtime Regulations in Bangladesh

Overtime work is permissible but regulated to protect workers' rights and well-being.

What Counts as Overtime in Bangladesh?

Overtime is defined as any work performed beyond the standard 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Employees must receive prior authorization for overtime work, and it should be compensated accordingly.

Maximum Overtime in Bangladesh

The maximum allowable overtime is 2 hours per day and 12 hours per week, ensuring the total weekly working hours do not exceed 60. Employers must obtain prior approval from the Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishments to employ workers for overtime hours.

Overtime Payout Rates in Bangladesh

Overtime compensation is mandated at twice the regular hourly wage. For example, if an employee's regular hourly wage is BDT 100, the overtime rate would be BDT 200 per hour. This rate applies to all overtime hours, including those worked on weekends or public holidays.

Rest Periods and Breaks in Bangladesh

Employees are entitled to rest periods to ensure their health and productivity:

Daily Breaks:      

• For shifts exceeding 6 hours: 1-hour break.
     
• For 5-hour shifts: 30-minute break.
     
• For 8-hour shifts: 1-hour break or two 30-minute breaks.
     
• Weekly Rest: Employees are entitled to at least one full day off per week, typically Friday, unless specified otherwise by company policy.

Employers are responsible for ensuring these breaks are provided and that employees are not required to work during designated rest periods.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

Night work is defined as any work performed between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Employers must obtain written consent from female employees before assigning them to night shifts. Additionally, employees working night shifts are entitled to a 24-hour rest period between shifts.

Weekend work is permissible but should be compensated at the overtime rate, especially if it falls on a public holiday or if the employee has already worked the standard weekly hours.

How Playroll Simplifies Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That’s the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:

       
• Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 180+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
       
• Stay compliant: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for working hours, overtime regulations, and more.
       
• Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.