Working Hours, Breaks & Holidays
The Labor Standards Act sets standards for working time and rest. The legal limit is 40 hours/week and 8 hours/day; by agreement you can extend up to 12 hours/week (52-hour-week principle including overtime). A break of 30+ minutes for a 4-hour shift and 1+ hour for an 8-hour shift must be given during work. Overtime, night, and holiday work beyond the limit earn premium pay, and a paid weekly holiday is given if you work all your scheduled days that week. It applies to foreigners equally regardless of nationality or visa.
How to proceed
- 1Check the legal limits (40 hrs/week, 8 hrs/day) and whether overtime is agreed
- 2Check breaks are properly given (30 min for 4 hrs, 1 hr for 8 hrs)
- 3Overtime, night, and holiday work earn premium pay added to your ordinary wage (estimate with the calculator)
- 4A paid weekly holiday is guaranteed if you work all your scheduled days that week
- 5Cross-check your actual hours and allowances on the pay slip
Tips
- ⚠️ Hour limits, premium rates, and coverage (esp. workplaces under 5) vary by case — don’t assume; confirm with ☎1350 or a labor attorney.
- If overtime/night/holiday pay is missing or low, check the pay slip and consult/report as wage arrears.
- Break time must be freely usable and generally isn’t counted as working hours (distinct from on-call/standby time).
- ⚠️ Exact premium rates can differ by scheme/exceptions (e.g., under 5 employees) — verify your own case.
Key contacts
- Ministry of Employment and Labor counseling ☎1350 (multilingual)
Solve it with a tool
Related guides
This is general information and has no legal force. Labor and residence rules depend on your situation and policy — always verify with experts (Ministry of Employment and Labor ☎1350, a labor attorney) and official sources.
Last updated: 2026-06-09