Navigating Working Hours and Employment Regulations in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's comprehensive Labor Act establishes clear guidelines for employment practices, covering maximum working hours, overtime compensation, employment contracts, and probation periods. Understanding these regulations is crucial for international businesses operating in this dynamic market.

Maximum Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Standard Working Hours

Bangladeshi labor law strictly regulates working time for employees. Adult workers generally cannot exceed 8 hours per day, though under specific government-approved conditions, this may extend to 10 hours daily. The weekly cap stands at 48 hours, with provisions allowing up to 60 hours in certain circumstances, provided the annual average doesn't surpass 56 hours. Road transport workers may work up to 150 additional hours annually with government authorization.

Youth employment faces stricter limitations: factory and mine workers under 18 cannot work more than 5 hours daily or 30 hours weekly, while other sectors permit up to 7 hours daily and 42 hours weekly. Night work between 7 PM and 7 AM is prohibited for young workers, with overtime restrictions keeping total weekly hours below 36 (factories/mines) or 48 (other workplaces).

Weekly rest periods vary by sector: commercial establishments provide one-and-a-half days off, factories guarantee one full day, and transport workers receive 24 consecutive hours off weekly—all with full pay protection.

For shifts extending past midnight:

Full-day holidays begin 24 hours after shift conclusion
Subsequent holidays start 24 hours post-shift, with post-midnight hours counted toward previous day's total

Female employees cannot be required to work between 10 PM and 6 AM without explicit consent.

Overtime Compensation

The Labor Act mandates double the ordinary wage rate for overtime work, calculated based on basic salary and living allowances (excluding bonuses). While piece-rate workers follow different calculations, weekly hours including overtime generally cannot exceed 60. Industries like construction and shipbreaking may have modified regulations, with all overtime requiring employer approval.

Employment Contract Requirements

Bangladesh sets the minimum employment age at 18, requiring written contracts that categorize workers as:

Apprentices
Substitute workers
Temporary staff
Probationary employees
Permanent workers
Seasonal labor

Contracts must include appointment letters and photo identification, covering:

Party details (employer/employee information)
Job description and responsibilities
Compensation structure and benefits
Probation terms (typically 6 months for clerical staff, 3 months for others)
Work schedules and leave policies
Termination conditions and notice periods
Confidentiality and non-compete clauses
Additional provisions like training arrangements

Probation Period Guidelines

Clerical workers undergo 6-month probation periods, while other employees typically face 3-month evaluations. Technical roles may extend probation by 3 additional months for skills assessment. Under Section 7 of the Labor Act, employees automatically gain permanent status after completing probation unless formally notified otherwise.

If rehired within three years of probationary dismissal, workers resume probationary status with previous service counting toward the new term.

Streamlining Bangladesh Employment Compliance

International companies like SailGlobal assist businesses in navigating Bangladesh's complex labor landscape through localized expertise in contract management, payroll processing, and regulatory compliance. Proper understanding of working hour regulations helps avoid penalties while fostering positive employee relations in this growing economy.

Bangladesh Labor Laws: Working Hours, Overtime & Employment Contracts