Whether you’re an employee seeking to understand your rights or an employer looking to stay compliant, understanding the working hours in the new Egyptian Labor Law is essential. The 2025 law resolves much of the previous confusion and establishes clear rules regarding working hours, breaks, leave, and overtime.
This article encapsulates the key facts everyone needs to know, especially in the private sector labor law.
What is the Number of Working Hours in the New Egyptian Labor Law?
The working hours according to the new labor law in the year 2025 are as follows:
- Maximum weekly working hours: 48 hours
- Daily working hours: Up to 8 hours a day
- Weekly workdays: 6 working days + 1 paid day of rest
The law obliges the employer to grant the worker a weekly paid day of rest.
Key Additional Working Hours Rights under the New Labor Law:
- An employee is not allowed to be forced to work for more than 5 consecutive hours without a break.
- Workers must be granted a rest period of not less than one hour on each working day.
- Any work performed between 10 PM and 6 AM is considered night work and must be remunerated extra.
- Female employees are entitled to two breastfeeding breaks per day (30 minutes each) during the initial two years after giving birth.
Want to stay up to date with the latest legal changes? Read our full guide to the New Egyptian Labor Law.
Working Hours in The Private Sector vs. The Public Sector
- Working hours in the public sector are subject to state policy and can be less than 48 working hours weekly.
- Under the private sector labor law, employers are not allowed to exceed the 48-hour maximum working hours a week.
However, it is also feasible for some companies to implement a short workweek under company regulations.
Working Overtime under the Egyptian Labor Law
It is allowed to work overtime in exceptional circumstances under the new labor law on condition that:
- Workers are given a 24-hour prior notice.
- The concerned administrative authority is informed within a period of 7 days.
Workers must be compensated for each hour of overtime as follows:
- 135% of their normal wage for daytime overtime
- 170% of their normal wage for overtime during night work
- 100% of their normal wage on weekly rest days
- 300% of their normal wage on official holidays
Working Hours During Ramadan under the Egyptian Labor Law
Following conventional practices, the working hours are reduced during Ramadan for Muslim employees:
- Shortened by one hour daily, to 7 hours rather than 8.
Although the new labor law does not explicitly state working hours for Ramadan, the majority of industries apply this cut in order to accommodate religious observance and benefit workers during the holy month.
The new labor law also introduced updates to termination procedures. You can learn more about the notice period and how it applies here.
What Are the Penalties for Working More Than Legal Working Hours in the New Law?
If an employer goes beyond the maximum hours of work specified in the new law, it can result in penal action, including:
- Financial penalties
- Compensation to employees for unpaid overtime
- Administrative offence recorded by the Ministry of Manpower
Follow-up offenses can escalate to court action.
Can Employees Refuse Overtime?
Employees can refuse to work overtime under the following situations:
- When they were not notified
- When there is no clear agreement on remuneration
- If it exceeds the limit per day (10 hours only in rare situations)
However, during some emergencies, such as disasters or industrial accidents, overtime may be temporarily imposed until the emergency ceases.
Regulations on Tardiness and Early Leaving under the Labor Law
The labor law enables employers to implement a deduction or warning system for tardiness or early leaving, provided that:
- The guidelines are communicated to employees in advance
- Incidents of lateness and premature departure are documented in the employee’s file
Principles common include:
- Persistent lateness can lead to wage deduction or written warnings
- Early unapproved leave can be considered a breach of duties and could lead to deductions or disciplinary action.
In every case, employers must document and retain these events, for example, attendance, departure, lateness, and penalties in the formal worker’s file, as stated by the new law.
Knowing your rights when you’re unwell is essential. Learn how sick leave is handled under Egypt’s new labor law.
Conclusion
The 2025 new labor law mandates employers and employees to strictly adhere to the prescribed working hours, setting definite regulations on overtime, night work, and rest.
This amendment is an important measure towards organizing the workplace and balancing the rights of the two parties.
If you are an employee, you have the right to work in a reasonable environment where working hours are respected. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to comply with the law in order to avoid punishment and provide a secure work environment.
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