Working Hours and Overtime in Iraq

What Are the Standard Working Hours In Iraq?

An employee whose age is 18 or younger has a maximum of 7 hours per day and 35 hours per week. An employee whose age is 19 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 5 hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Maximum Working Hours in Iraq

In Iraq, labor laws set clear limits on how long employees can work. The legal maximum is 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week for adult workers. Overtime is permitted when there's urgent work to be completed or during seasonal peaks, but employers must ensure that overtime doesn't become a regular practice. Even with overtime, employees shouldn't work more than 10 hours in a single day except in emergency situations.

Industry Specific Exceptions

Some industries in Iraq operate under different working hour regulations due to their unique nature. For example, healthcare workers often follow shift patterns that may exceed standard daily limits but balance out over a longer period. Oil and gas workers, particularly those on remote sites, typically work on rotation schedules (like 28 days on, 28 days off) with longer daily hours during their work periods. Security personnel and those in hospitality also frequently have modified schedules that accommodate the 24/7 nature of their work.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

Under Iraqi labor law, managerial and executive employees occupy a special category. These are typically defined as employees who have authority to hire, fire, and make significant operational decisions, or those who primarily perform work requiring advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning. While they're still entitled to fair working conditions, managers and executives aren't subject to the standard working hour limitations. However, employers still have a duty of care to ensure these employees aren't working excessive hours that could impact their health and wellbeing.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in Iraq

Full-time employment in Iraq is legally defined as 48 hours per week, typically distributed as 8 hours per day across 6 days. This standard applies broadly across most industries, though the actual implementation may vary. Government employees often work fewer hours (around 35-40 hours weekly), while private sector employees generally work the full 48 hours. Some modern companies, particularly international firms and tech companies, have adopted a 40-hour, 5-day workweek to align with global standards and improve work-life balance.

Overtime Regulations in Iraq

What Counts As Overtime in Iraq?

In Iraq, any work performed beyond the standard 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week is considered overtime. This includes additional hours worked during regular workdays, as well as any work performed on weekly rest days (typically Fridays) or public holidays. For part-time employees, overtime begins after they've completed their contracted hours or if they exceed the standard full-time hours.

Maximum Overtime In Iraq

Iraqi labor law limits overtime to no more than 4 hours per day and 12 hours per week under normal circumstances. This means the absolute maximum working time should not exceed 60 hours in any given week. Employers who violate these limits face penalties including fines that can range from 500,000 to 1,000,000 Iraqi Dinars per violation. Repeated violations can result in increased penalties and potential business license suspension. The labor inspectorate conducts regular and surprise inspections to ensure compliance.

Overtime Payout Rates In Iraq

Employers in Iraq must compensate overtime work at a premium rate. The standard overtime rate is 150% of the normal hourly wage (time-and-a-half) for additional hours worked on regular workdays. This rate increases to 200% (double time) for work performed on weekly rest days and public holidays. Some collective bargaining agreements in certain industries may establish even higher rates. All overtime payments must be clearly documented on employee pay stubs, and employers must maintain accurate records of all overtime hours worked.

Rest Periods and Breaks In Iraq

Iraqi labor law recognizes the importance of adequate rest for employee health and productivity. Employees must receive a minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours between the end of one workday and the beginning of the next. During the workday, employees working more than 5 consecutive hours are entitled to at least one 30-minute break for meals and rest, which is not counted as working time.

Workers are also entitled to a weekly rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours, traditionally taken on Friday (the Muslim holy day). For work that requires continuous operations, employers must organize shifts to ensure all employees receive equivalent rest periods, even if not on the traditional day.

Special provisions apply to younger workers (under 18), who must receive longer rest periods and more frequent breaks. Employers are responsible for maintaining records that demonstrate compliance with these requirements and can face fines for violations.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

Night work in Iraq is defined as work performed between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Employees who regularly work night shifts are entitled to additional compensation, typically a premium of 25% above their regular hourly rate. Health assessments are required for night shift workers at the employer's expense to monitor for any adverse health effects.

Weekend work (primarily Friday in Iraq) is compensated at double the regular hourly rate, as mentioned in the overtime section. Some employers provide additional benefits for weekend workers, such as transportation allowances or meal provisions, though these aren't legally mandated.

Certain categories of workers, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and workers under 18, have restrictions on night and weekend work. Employers must ensure proper lighting, security, and facilities for night shift workers, and provide safe transportation options when public transport is limited.

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.