Understanding Bangladesh's Labor Law on Working Hours and Overtime
In Bangladesh, the labor laws strongly emphasize regulated working hours to protect employees. Standard working hours are capped at 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week for adults. For those aged 14-18, it's limited to 6 hours daily and 36 hours weekly. However, employers can extend these hours to 10 per day and 60 per week, provided the average does not exceed 56 hours over the year. This flexibility requires prior approval from the Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishments.
Overtime is a critical component, calculated at double the regular hourly wage, based on the employee's gross salary. This structure applies to all overtime, including hours worked on weekends and public holidays. The maximum permissible overtime is 2 hours per day and 12 hours per week, ensuring total weekly hours remain within legal limits.