Working Hours and Overtime in Republic of Congo

In Republic of Congo, 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.

As you plan workforce schedules through 2026, you should expect closer scrutiny of working-time practices, more detailed record-keeping obligations, and a stronger focus on employee health and safety. Aligning internal policies with statutory rules on standard hours, overtime, and rest – and training managers to apply them consistently – will help you avoid disputes, inspections, and reputational risk while supporting productivity and retention.

• 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 Republic of Congo?

An employee whose age is 16 or younger has a maximum of 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week. An employee whose age is 18 or older is allowed to work 40 hours per week. A minimum meal interval of 60 minutes must be observed by employees who work more than 6 hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 8:00 to 16:00.

Maximum Working Hours In Republic of Congo

Under the Labour Code of Republic of Congo, the general statutory limit for adult employees is 40 hours per week, usually spread over five 8-hour days. Daily working time should not normally exceed 8 hours, excluding unpaid meal breaks. Any work performed beyond these limits is considered overtime and must be specifically authorized and compensated at enhanced rates. Employers should clearly define working schedules in employment contracts or internal regulations and ensure that actual hours worked are recorded accurately through timesheets or electronic systems.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

• Continuous Process Industries (Such As Mining And Oil)
• Hospitality, Tourism, And Catering Services
• Transport, Logistics, And Port Operations
• Healthcare And Emergency Services
• Agriculture, Forestry, And Seasonal Campaigns

Managerial And Exempt Employees

Senior managerial staff and certain highly autonomous professionals in Republic of Congo may be subject to more flexible working-time arrangements. While they are still protected by fundamental health and safety rules, their hours may not be tracked in the same way as hourly workers, and some overtime rules may not apply in full. Employers should clearly identify such employees in contracts, describe their autonomy over scheduling, and ensure that their overall workload remains reasonable. Misclassifying regular employees as exempt managers to avoid overtime obligations can expose employers to back pay claims and administrative penalties.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours In Republic of Congo

Full-time employment in Republic of Congo is generally based on a 40-hour workweek for adult employees. This standard is used to determine thresholds for overtime, eligibility for certain benefits, and calculation of pro-rated entitlements for part-time staff. Employers may adopt different daily distributions of these 40 hours – for example, five 8-hour days or six shorter days – provided that the weekly limit and applicable rest-period rules are respected. Any deviation from the standard pattern should be documented in internal policies and communicated clearly to employees.

Overtime Regulations In Republic of Congo

What Counts As Overtime In Republic of Congo?

In Republic of Congo, overtime is generally any working time performed beyond the statutory full-time schedule of 40 hours per week for adult employees, or beyond the lower limits applicable to minors. Work performed outside the normal daily schedule – such as extending a shift beyond 8 hours or calling an employee in on a rest day – will typically qualify as overtime if it is requested or accepted by the employer. Employers should require prior written or electronic authorization for overtime and maintain detailed records of hours worked, including start and end times, to demonstrate compliance in the event of an inspection or dispute.

Maximum Overtime In Republic of Congo

Overtime in Republic of Congo is intended to be exceptional rather than routine. While specific caps can vary by sector or collective agreement, employers should ensure that total working time – regular hours plus overtime – does not endanger employees’ health or violate daily and weekly rest requirements. As a good-practice benchmark, employers often limit overtime to a modest number of hours per week and to a defined annual ceiling, and they rotate overtime opportunities to avoid overburdening particular employees. Any sectoral agreement or company policy that allows higher overtime volumes must still comply with national labour standards and health and safety obligations.

Overtime Payout Rates In Republic of Congo

Overtime work in Republic of Congo must be compensated at a higher rate than normal working hours. Although exact percentages can depend on the Labour Code, collective agreements, and the timing of the overtime, employers commonly apply premium rates for hours worked beyond 40 per week, with higher enhancements for night work, work performed on weekly rest days, and work on public holidays. Employers may not replace mandatory overtime pay with time off in lieu unless such arrangements are clearly permitted by law or collective agreement and are accepted by the employee. Payroll systems should be configured to distinguish between regular hours, standard overtime, night overtime, and work on rest days or holidays to ensure accurate and transparent payment.

Rest Periods And Breaks In Republic of Congo

Employees in Republic of Congo typically work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, and rest periods and breaks are designed to protect their health and safety within these limits. During the working day, employees who work more than 6 hours must receive a meal break of at least 60 minutes, and employers must also ensure adequate daily and weekly rest so that total working time, including any overtime, does not become excessive.

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