Iraq working hours, overtime & public holidays.
A current reference covering daily/weekly limits, overtime caps and pay rates, rest periods, night work, penalties, plus the 2026 public holiday calendar (federal + Islamic).
Standard working hours in Iraq are 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. Overtime is paid at 150% on day shifts and 200% at night, on rest days or public holidays, and is capped at 120 hours per year. Night work runs from 21:00 to 06:00.
8 hours a day, 48 hours a week.
48 hours per week, typically Sunday-Thursday.
35 hours per week, protective regime for minors.
For shifts exceeding 5 consecutive hours.
Minimum daily and weekly rest.
Consecutive hours of rest between the end of one workday and the start of the next.
At least 24 consecutive hours of rest per week, traditionally Friday in Iraq.
Pay 150% on day shifts, 200% at night or on holidays.
Overtime is also capped at 40 hours per 90-day period or 120 hours per year.
Overtime pay rates, Iraqi Labor Law No. 37 of 2015.
| Type of work | Pay rate |
|---|---|
| Daytime overtime | 150% (1.5×) |
| Night work, weekly rest day, public holiday, arduous/harmful work | 200% (2×) |
21:00 to 06:00.
14 to 16 days off, fixed and lunar.
Federal Iraq and Kurdistan Region observe slightly different days. Islamic dates depend on moon-sighting and may shift by 1-2 days.
Fixed national holidays (Gregorian).
| Date 2026 | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Iraqi Army Day |
| March 16 | Halabja Commemoration |
| March 20-21 | Nowruz widely observed, especially in KRI |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| October 3 | Iraqi Independence Day |
| December 10 | Victory Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
Islamic holidays (lunar, moon sighting).
| Approx date 2026 | Holiday |
|---|---|
| March 20-23 | Eid al-Fitr end of Ramadan, lunar |
| May 27-31 | Eid al-Adha lunar |
| June 5 | Eid-e-Ghadir observed mainly by Shia communities |
| June 16 | Islamic New Year lunar |
| June 26 | Ashura lunar |
| August 25 | Mawlid al-Nabi Prophet's Birthday, lunar |
Premium pay or compensatory time off.
Employees who do not work on an official public holiday receive their normal basic pay for the day.
Working a public holiday triggers the 200% rate (rest-day rule applies).
Compensatory time off is allowed in lieu of premium pay where mutually agreed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard working hours in Iraq?
Standard working hours in Iraq are 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week for adult employees. Workers under 18 are limited to 7 hours per day and 35 hours per week. Shifts longer than 5 consecutive hours require at least a 30-minute meal break.
How is overtime paid in Iraq?
Overtime in Iraq is paid at 150% of the normal rate for daytime overtime, and 200% for night work, weekly rest days, public holidays and arduous work, under Iraqi Labor Law No. 37 of 2015.
Is there a limit on overtime in Iraq?
Yes. Overtime cannot exceed 40 hours over any 90-day period, or 120 hours over a 12-month period. Employers who exceed these caps face administrative fines.
What counts as night work in Iraq?
Night work is defined as work performed between 21:00 and 06:00. It attracts the 200% premium; some classifications also recognise a separate night-shift premium where the work is regular night work rather than overtime.
How many public holidays does Iraq have in 2026?
Iraq observes roughly 14 to 16 public holiday days in 2026, combining fixed national holidays such as New Year's Day, Labour Day and Independence Day with Islamic holidays whose dates depend on moon-sighting and may shift by one to two days.
What are the penalties for working-hour violations in Iraq?
Violations of working-hour rules can carry administrative fines from IQD 500,000 to IQD 1,000,000 per violation, in addition to back-pay owed to the worker and reputational risk.
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What are the standard working hours in Iraq?
Standard working hours in Iraq are 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week for adult employees. Workers under 18 are limited to 7 hours per day and 35 hours per week. Shifts longer than 5 consecutive hours require at least a 30-minute meal break.
How is overtime paid in Iraq?
Overtime in Iraq is paid at 150% of the normal rate for daytime overtime, and 200% for night work, weekly rest days, public holidays and arduous work, under Iraqi Labor Law No. 37 of 2015.
Is there a limit on overtime in Iraq?
Yes. Overtime cannot exceed 40 hours over any 90-day period, or 120 hours over a 12-month period. Employers who exceed these caps face administrative fines.
What counts as night work in Iraq?
Night work is defined as work performed between 21:00 and 06:00. It attracts the 200% premium; some classifications also recognise a separate night-shift premium where the work is regular night work rather than overtime.
How many public holidays does Iraq have in 2026?
Iraq observes roughly 14 to 16 public holiday days in 2026, combining fixed national holidays such as New Year's Day, Labour Day and Independence Day with Islamic holidays whose dates depend on moon-sighting and may shift by one to two days.
What are the penalties for working-hour violations in Iraq?
Violations of working-hour rules can carry administrative fines from IQD 500,000 to IQD 1,000,000 per violation, in addition to back-pay owed to the worker and reputational risk.
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