Labor Law by Market
Quick-reference summaries for 16 markets. Always verify with a local labor lawyer before making employment decisions.
Malaysia
MYWorking hours
48 hrs / week (8 hrs/day). Employees cannot be required to work more than 48 hrs without consent.
Overtime
1.5× on normal days · 2× on rest days · 3× on public holidays. Max 104 OT hrs/month.
Rest breaks
At least one 30-min rest period per day. Meal breaks not counted as work time.
Annual leave
8 days (< 2 yrs) · 12 days (2–5 yrs) · 16 days (> 5 yrs service).
Public holidays
11 gazetted public holidays/year. State-level holidays vary. Work on PH pays 3× rate.
Minimum wage
RM 1,700/month (Peninsular Malaysia) as of 2024. Sabah/Sarawak/Labuan: RM 1,700.
Key notes
Governed by the Employment Act 1955 (amended 2022). The 2022 amendments extended coverage to all employees regardless of salary. Maternity leave is 98 days.
Singapore
SGWorking hours
44 hrs/week for 6-day work week · 40 hrs/week for 5-day work week · Max 12 hrs/day including OT.
Overtime
1.5× basic rate for hours beyond contractual hours. OT limited to 72 hrs/month.
Rest breaks
No statutory minimum break duration, but employers must provide adequate rest.
Annual leave
7 days (1st year) · 14 days (8+ yrs). Prorated for partial years.
Public holidays
11 public holidays/year. Work on PH earns an extra day off or 1× extra pay.
Minimum wage
Progressive Wage Model applies to specific sectors (cleaning, security, retail, F&B). No universal minimum wage.
Key notes
Governed by Employment Act (Cap. 91). Covers employees earning ≤ SGD 4,500/month (workmen) or ≤ SGD 2,600/month (others) for Part IV protections. CPF contributions mandatory.
Australia
AUWorking hours
38 ordinary hours/week. "Reasonable" additional hours may be required depending on role and award.
Overtime
Penalty rates vary by Modern Award and industry. Typically 1.5× for first 2–3 OT hours, then 2×.
Rest breaks
30-min unpaid break after 5 hrs of work (varies by award). 10-min paid rest break per 4 hrs.
Annual leave
4 weeks paid leave/year for full-time employees. Part-time: pro-rated.
Public holidays
10 federal public holidays + state-specific holidays. Double-time rates typically apply.
Minimum wage
AUD 24.10/hour (National Minimum Wage as of July 2024). Many awards set higher rates.
Key notes
Governed by the Fair Work Act 2009. Modern Awards set minimum conditions by industry. The Fair Work Commission sets National Employment Standards (NES). Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading.
New Zealand
NZWorking hours
No statutory maximum, but OT must be reasonable. Standard is 40 hrs/week.
Overtime
No statutory OT rate. OT rates are set in employment agreements. Typically time-and-a-half.
Rest breaks
10-min paid break per 2 hrs of work. 30-min unpaid meal break per 4–5 hrs.
Annual leave
4 weeks paid annual leave after 12 months service.
Public holidays
12 public holidays/year including regional anniversary days. Work on PH = time-and-a-half + day in lieu.
Minimum wage
NZD 23.15/hour (adult minimum wage as of April 2024).
Key notes
Governed by Employment Relations Act 2000 and Holidays Act 2003. Bereavement leave: 3 days for immediate family, 1 day for others. Sick leave: 10 days/year after 6 months.
United Kingdom
GBWorking hours
48 hrs/week maximum (17-week average). Employees can opt out of the 48-hr limit with written agreement.
Overtime
No statutory OT rate. Must average at least minimum wage across all hours including OT.
Rest breaks
20-min break if working > 6 hrs. Daily rest of 11 consecutive hours. Weekly rest of 24 hrs.
Annual leave
5.6 weeks/year (28 days for full-time, including 8 public holidays).
Public holidays
8 public holidays in England/Wales · 9 in Scotland. Employers can choose to include these in annual leave.
Minimum wage
GBP 11.44/hr (21+) · GBP 8.60/hr (18–20) · GBP 6.40/hr (under 18) as of April 2024.
Key notes
Governed by Working Time Regulations 1998 and National Minimum Wage Act 1998. Zero-hours contracts are common in hospitality/retail but workers still accrue holiday pay.
United States
USWorking hours
No federal maximum. FLSA sets 40 hrs/week as the OT threshold. State laws may differ.
Overtime
1.5× ("time-and-a-half") for hours beyond 40/week. Some states (CA, AK) require daily OT after 8 hrs.
Rest breaks
No federal requirement. FLSA requires pay for short breaks (< 20 min). Meal breaks (≥ 30 min) are unpaid. State laws vary widely.
Annual leave
No federal mandate. Average is 10–15 days PTO. State laws vary (e.g., CO, ME, NV mandate accrued leave).
Public holidays
11 federal holidays. Private employers are not required to give time off or premium pay unless contractual.
Minimum wage
USD 7.25/hr federal. Many states/cities set higher rates (CA: USD 16/hr, NY: USD 16/hr, WA: USD 16.28/hr in 2024).
Key notes
Governed by Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Tipped employees: federal minimum USD 2.13/hr (employer must top up to USD 7.25 if tips don't cover the gap). Healthcare coverage required for employers with 50+ full-time equivalents (ACA).
Canada
CAWorking hours
40 hrs/week federally. Provinces set their own limits (ON, BC: 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week max).
Overtime
1.5× after 40 hrs/week federally. Provincial rules vary (ON: after 44 hrs, BC: after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week).
Rest breaks
30-min unpaid break per 5 hrs (federal). Provinces vary: ON requires 30-min break per 5 hrs, BC per 5 hrs.
Annual leave
2 weeks (< 5 yrs) · 3 weeks (5+ yrs) federally. Provinces may require more.
Public holidays
9 federal statutory holidays. Additional provincial holidays apply (ON: 9+1, BC: 10+1).
Minimum wage
CAD 17.30/hr federal (2024). Provincial rates: ON CAD 16.55, BC CAD 17.40, AB CAD 15.00.
Key notes
Labor law is largely provincial jurisdiction. Federal rules apply to federally regulated industries (banking, telecoms, transport). Quebec has distinct labor law under the Act Respecting Labour Standards.
Philippines
PHWorking hours
8 hrs/day, 6 days/week (48 hrs). Government employees: 40 hrs/week.
Overtime
25% premium on regular days · 30% on rest days/special holidays · additional 30% on regular holidays.
Rest breaks
1-hr unpaid meal break (not counted as working time). No statutory paid rest break.
Annual leave
5 days Service Incentive Leave (SIL)/year after 1 year of service. Can be converted to cash if unused.
Public holidays
12 regular holidays + 3 special non-working holidays. Regular holiday: 200% pay if worked.
Minimum wage
Regional minimum wages set by Regional Wage Boards. NCR (Metro Manila): PHP 610/day (2024). Varies by region.
Key notes
Governed by Presidential Decree 442 (Labor Code of the Philippines). 13th month pay mandatory for employees paid on monthly basis (paid by December 24). Night shift differential: 10% additional for work between 10 PM–6 AM.
Thailand
THWorking hours
8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week standard. Hazardous work: 7 hrs/day, 42 hrs/week.
Overtime
1.5× on workdays (beyond 8 hrs) · 1× on holidays · 3× on holidays worked.
Rest breaks
At least 1 hr break/day (before working > 5 consecutive hours). Can be split into periods of not less than 1 hr total.
Annual leave
6 working days/year (after 1 year service). Prorated for incomplete years by agreement.
Public holidays
13 mandatory public holidays/year.
Minimum wage
THB 300–400+/day depending on province (2024). Bangkok: THB 400/day.
Key notes
Governed by Labor Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) and amendments. Female employees entitled to 98 days maternity leave (45 days paid). Sick leave: 30 days paid/year.
Indonesia
IDWorking hours
7 hrs/day for 6-day week · 8 hrs/day for 5-day week (40 hrs/week).
Overtime
1.5× for first OT hour · 2× for subsequent OT hours on weekdays · 2× on rest days · 3× on public holidays.
Rest breaks
30-min break after 4 hrs consecutive work. Religious prayer time provided.
Annual leave
12 working days after 12 months of service.
Public holidays
16+ national public holidays/year (varies annually).
Minimum wage
Provincial and district minimum wages (UMP/UMK). Jakarta: IDR 5,067,381/month (2024).
Key notes
Governed by Manpower Law No. 13/2003 and Job Creation Law (Omnibus Law) 2020. Severance pay mandatory based on years of service. Religious holiday allowance (THR) = 1 month salary, paid before Eid.
India
INWorking hours
48 hrs/week (8 hrs/day) under Factories Act. Shops & Establishments Acts vary by state.
Overtime
2× the ordinary rate for hours beyond 9/day or 48/week (Factories Act). State Shops Acts vary.
Rest breaks
30-min break after 5 hrs of work. No employee to work more than 5 hrs continuously.
Annual leave
1 day earned leave per 20 days worked (Factories Act). Shops Acts: typically 12–15 days/year.
Public holidays
3 national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti). State govts add 10–15 more.
Minimum wage
Central minimum wage: INR 196–423/day depending on skill level (2024). State-level minimum wages are typically higher.
Key notes
Labor law is complex — central and state laws co-exist. The four Labour Codes (Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, OSH) are passed but not yet fully notified in all states. Gratuity: 15 days salary per year for employees with 5+ years service.
Japan
JPWorking hours
40 hrs/week (8 hrs/day). Can extend to 44 hrs/week for certain small businesses.
Overtime
25% premium for standard OT · 35% for OT > 60 hrs/month · 35% for holiday work. OT capped at 45 hrs/month (360 hrs/year) with special agreement (36 Agreement).
Rest breaks
45 min break per 6 hrs · 60 min break per 8 hrs.
Annual leave
10 days after 6 months (accrues to 20 days at 6.5 yrs). Employers must ensure at least 5 days are taken.
Public holidays
16 national holidays/year. Most workers receive these as paid days off.
Minimum wage
JPY 1,004–1,163/hr (2024, varies by prefecture). Tokyo: JPY 1,163/hr.
Key notes
Governed by Labor Standards Act. Employment contracts must be in writing. Social insurance (health, pension, employment) mandatory for employees working 20+ hrs/week. Monthly salary system prevalent.
South Korea
KRWorking hours
40 hrs/week (8 hrs/day). Maximum 52 hrs/week (40 ordinary + 12 OT). Enforced strictly.
Overtime
50% premium for OT on weekdays · 100% for holiday/rest day work up to 8 hrs · 150% beyond 8 hrs on holidays.
Rest breaks
30 min per 4 hrs · 60 min per 8 hrs of work.
Annual leave
15 days after 1 year · 1 additional day per 2 years service (max 25 days).
Public holidays
15 national public holidays. Work on public holidays requires consent and 2× pay.
Minimum wage
KRW 9,860/hr (2024).
Key notes
Governed by Labor Standards Act. 52-hr cap applies to businesses with 5+ employees. Severance pay: 30 days average wage per year of service (mandatory from day 1 if employed 1+ year, 15+ hrs/week).
China
CNWorking hours
8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week standard. Extended work hours system (some sectors): 44 hrs/week.
Overtime
150% on weekdays · 200% on rest days (if not compensated with time off) · 300% on statutory holidays.
Rest breaks
No statutory minimum set nationally, but reasonable rest is required. Shift work rules vary.
Annual leave
5 days (1–10 yrs) · 10 days (10–20 yrs) · 15 days (20+ yrs service).
Public holidays
11 statutory public holidays/year (including Golden Week).
Minimum wage
Set by provincial/municipal governments. Shanghai: CNY 2,690/month · Beijing: CNY 2,420/month (2024).
Key notes
Governed by Labor Law (1994) and Labor Contract Law (2008). Written contracts mandatory. Severance: 1 month salary per year of service. Overtime for statutory holidays cannot be compensated with time off — must receive 300% pay.
Brunei
BNWorking hours
8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week. Overtime for hours beyond 8/day or 44/week.
Overtime
1.5× on weekdays · 2× on rest days · 2× on public holidays.
Rest breaks
Reasonable rest breaks to be provided. No statutory minimum specified.
Annual leave
7 days (< 2 yrs) · 10 days (2–5 yrs) · 14 days (> 5 yrs).
Public holidays
12+ public holidays/year (including Islamic holidays which vary annually).
Minimum wage
No statutory national minimum wage for private sector (as of 2024).
Key notes
Governed by Employment Order 2009. Brunei uses Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) values in employment practices. Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer time protected for Muslim employees. Strong expat workforce reliant on work permit system.
Vietnam
VNWorking hours
8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week standard. Normal: 40 hrs/week recommended.
Overtime
150% on weekdays · 200% on weekly rest days · 300% on public holidays or paid leave days.
Rest breaks
30 min paid break during daytime shift · 45 min for night shift. Counted as working time.
Annual leave
12 days/year (increases by 1 day per 5 yrs with same employer). Hazardous work: 14–16 days.
Public holidays
11 public holidays/year. Tet (Lunar New Year) is 5 days.
Minimum wage
Regional minimum wages. Region I (Hanoi/HCM): VND 4,960,000/month (2024).
Key notes
Governed by Labor Code 2019 (effective 2021). OT capped at 40 hrs/month and 200 hrs/year (300 hrs with govt approval for certain industries). 13th month salary customary (not mandatory) but widely expected.