Working Hours in Oman (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements

Researched by Ahmed R. J. Alsaedi, Founder & Head Researcher

Primary sources cited; not legal advice.

Source: Royal Decree No. 53/2023 (Labour Law, effective July 2023); Ministerial Decision No. 286/2008 (Midday Break)

About this article

Sourced from Omani royal decrees, ministerial decisions, and the Basic Statute of the State. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards

Omani National Law

What is this right?

Oman's Labour Law (Royal Decree 53/2023) sets strict limits on working hours and requires premium pay for overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules.:

Normal hours: Maximum 9 hours per day or 45 hours per week, excluding breaks. Royal Decree 53/2023 maintains the same daily and weekly limits as the previous RD 35/2003.
Ramadan hours: Reduced to 6 hours per day or 30 hours per week for Muslim workers.
Summer midday ban: Outdoor work is prohibited from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM from June 1 to August 31 — a critical rule for construction and oil field workers.
OvertimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules. pay: At least 125% of normal hourly wage for daytime overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules.. Night overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules. and holidays pay 150% or more.
Rest period: At least 30 minutes break after 6 consecutive hours of work.
Weekly rest: At least 1 full day off per week, normally Friday.

When does it apply?

You work in the private sector under an employment contract in Oman.
You are asked to work beyond 9 hours in a day or 45 hours in a week.
You work outdoors and your employer requires you to work during the summer midday ban hours.
You are asked to work on your weekly rest day or a public holiday.

What to Do If Your Employer Is Violating Oman's Working Hours Rules

Track your working hours — keep a personal record of start times, end times, and overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules..
If you are not receiving overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules. pay, raise it with your employer in writing first.
If unresolved, file a complaint with the Labour Care Department at the Ministry of Labour.
If your union committee exists at your workplace, raise the issue through your union representative — Oman is the only Gulf state where this is a legal option.

What should you NOT do?

Do not work excessive overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules. without records — undocumented hours are nearly impossible to prove in a dispute.
Do not agree to waive overtimeUnder the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. State laws can require more generous overtime rules. pay in your contract — this right cannot be contracted away under the Labour Law.
Do not comply with orders to work during the midday ban (12:30-3:30 PM, June-August) — report violations to the Ministry of Labour hotline.

About Workers' Rights in Oman

Your job in Oman is governed by the Labour Law (Royal Decree 53/2023), which replaced the 2003 code. Oman is the only GCC country that allows union committees and collective bargaining, under Royal Decree 113/2011. Standard hours are 9 a day or 45 a week, with a midday outdoor work ban in summer. Social insurance for Omanis runs through the Social Protection Fund under Royal Decree 52/2023, which replaced PASI; expats get workplace-injury coverage only. Disputes go through the Ministry of Labour's Labour Care Department, then to the Primary Court (Labour Division).

Common Questions

What is the working hours and overtime right in Oman?

Oman's Labour Law (Royal Decree 53/2023) sets strict limits on working hours and requires premium pay for overtime:Normal hours: Maximum 9 hours per day or 45 hours per week, excluding breaks. Royal Decree 53/2023 maintains the same daily and weekly limits as the previous RD 35/2003.Ramadan hours: Reduced to 6 hours per day or 30 hours per week for Muslim workers.Summer midday ban: Outdoor work is prohibited from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM from June 1 to August 31 — a critical rule for construction and oil field workers.Overtime pay: At least 125% of normal hourly wage for daytime overtime. Night...

When does it apply — working hours and overtime?

You work in the private sector under an employment contract in Oman.You are asked to work beyond 9 hours in a day or 45 hours in a week.You work outdoors and your employer requires you to work during the summer midday ban hours.You are asked to work on your weekly rest day or a public holiday.

What should I do if my employer in Oman is forcing me to work excessive hours without overtime pay?

Track your working hours — keep a personal record of start times, end times, and overtime.If you are not receiving overtime pay, raise it with your employer in writing first.If unresolved, file a complaint with the Labour Care Department at the Ministry of Labour.If your union committee exists at your workplace, raise the issue through your union representative — Oman is the only Gulf state where this is a legal option.

What should you NOT do — working hours and overtime?

Do not work excessive overtime without records — undocumented hours are nearly impossible to prove in a dispute.Do not agree to waive overtime pay in your contract — this right cannot be contracted away under the Labour Law.Do not comply with orders to work during the midday ban (12:30-3:30 PM, June-August) — report violations to the Ministry of Labour hotline.

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