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Nepal Working Hours & Overtime Pay Rules 2025
Standard hours, overtime rates, maximum limits, and how to calculate what your employer owes you under Labour Act 2074.
8 hrs
Standard day
[S.28]
[S.28]
48 hrs
Max standard week
[S.28]
[S.28]
1.5×
OT rate (first 4 hrs)
[S.31]
[S.31]
4 hrs
Max overtime/day
[S.29]
[S.29]
Your right to overtime pay is guaranteed by law. No employment contract, verbal agreement, or "company policy" can waive your right to overtime compensation under Labour Act 2074. Any clause doing so is void. [Source: Labour Act 2074, Section 3]
Standard Working Hours
| Rule | Standard | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Daily standard hours | 8 hours | Labour Act 2074, Section 28 |
| Weekly standard hours | 48 hours | Labour Act 2074, Section 28 |
| Weekly rest day | Minimum 1 day off per week | Labour Act 2074, Section 32 |
| Rest break during shift | 30 minutes break per 5 hours | Labour Act 2074, Section 30 |
| Night shift extra pay | 25% premium on normal wage | Labour Act 2074, Section 31 |
| Hazardous work max hours | 6 hours/day | Labour Act 2074, Section 29 |
Overtime Pay Rates
| Overtime Hours | Pay Rate | When It Applies | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 4 hours of overtime | 1.5× normal hourly rate | Daily/weekly overtime beyond 8 hrs/48 hrs | Labour Act 2074, S.31 |
| Beyond 4 hours overtime | 2× normal hourly rate | When daily overtime exceeds 4 hours (rarely legal) | Labour Act 2074, S.31 |
| Work on weekly rest day | 2× normal rate | If employer requires work on weekly off day | Labour Act 2074, S.32 |
| Work on public holiday | 2× normal rate OR compensatory day off | When employer requires work on public holiday | Labour Act 2074, S.37 |
| Night shift (10pm–6am) | Normal rate + 25% premium | All hours worked between 10pm and 6am | Labour Act 2074, S.31 |
⚠️ Maximum Overtime Limit Employers cannot require more than 4 hours of overtime per day. Total daily work (including overtime) cannot exceed 12 hours. Working beyond this is illegal and employer bears health/accident liability. [Source: Labour Act 2074, Section 29]
Overtime Pay Calculator
Calculate Your Overtime Due
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Enter salary and hours to see your overtime pay
What to Do If Your Employer Doesn't Pay Overtime
Withholding overtime pay is illegal. Employer is liable for back-pay plus a fine. This includes overtime on evenings, weekends, and public holidays. [Source: Labour Act 2074, Section 63]
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Document Everything
Record your daily start/end times. Save screenshots of work messages sent after hours. Compare against your pay slips. Calculate the gap.
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Written Request to Employer
Send a written (email or letter) request for overtime pay citing Labour Act 2074 Section 31. Keep the sent copy. Give 7 days to respond.
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File at Labour Office
If not paid, file a complaint at your district Labour Office. Bring your documentation. Labour Inspector can order immediate payment plus penalty.