Overtime under Oman’s Labour Law: Is employee consent mandatory?

Under Royal Decree 53/2023, Oman’s Labour Law clearly protects workers from being required to work overtime without their agreement. An employer may require a worker to perform additional hours where the needs of the work so demand, but the law imposes an essential condition.

In an exclusive interview with Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, explains that, “as a general rule, a worker’s consent is required before overtime can be assigned. Where the worker agrees, the total working hours, including overtime, must not exceed 12 hours per day. The worker must be paid the basic wage for each overtime hour plus at least 25% extra for daytime work and at least 50% extra for night work (9 pm to 5 am). Instead of payment, the employer may grant paid time off for the overtime hours worked. If overtime is performed on a weekly rest day or official holiday, the worker is entitled to 100% of the basic wage for those hours in addition to the normal daily wage, or one compensatory rest day for each day worked.”

“However, limited exceptions allow the employer to require overtime without the worker’s consent: first, for annual inventory, budget preparation, liquidation, closing of accounts, or discounted sales, limited to 15 days per year unless the competent authority approves otherwise. Second, to prevent an accident, rectify its consequences, avoid loss of perishable materials, or meet unusual work pressure. In such cases, the employer must inform the competent labour authority within 24 hours, explaining the reasons and expected duration of the additional work,” he said.

“Dr. Mohammed stated that under these overtime exceptions, the worker receives higher pay, at least 50% extra for daytime overtime hours and 75% extra for night overtime hours, and for work on weekly rest days or official holidays, the worker is entitled to 200% of the basic wage in addition to the normal daily wage, or two rest days for each day worked.”

“Additionally, the Minister of Labour may issue decisions for seasonal work and specific sectors where the standard rules on working hours and overtime may not apply. Outside these statutory and regulatory exceptions, no employer in Oman may require a worker to perform overtime without the worker’s consent,” he concluded.

(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established on 14th December 2006 and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas.  It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).