Reviewed: 10 October 2026. This is general information. Official sources are linked below; individual cases and applicable rules should be checked with the relevant authority or a qualified adviser.
Daytime and night-time additional hours
Article 54 provides the wage due for each additional hour plus at least 25% for daytime additional hours or at least 50% for night-time additional hours. The law defines night as 7 pm to 7 am. These are minimum additions to the relevant hourly wage, not replacement wages of only 25% or 50%.
For a purely illustrative verified hourly wage of BD2, the corresponding minimum additional-hour totals would be BD2.50 in the day and BD3 at night. This example does not establish the correct hourly wage or monthly-salary divisor for a particular employee.
Official sources: Bahrain EDB: Labour Law for the Private Sector, Law No. 36 of 2012 (English text with listed amendments)
Weekly rest days use a different rule
Article 57 addresses work on the employee’s weekly rest day. The Arabic text provides the day’s wage plus an additional 150% of that wage, or another rest day, according to the worker’s choice. Do not confuse the additional 150% with an ordinary night-overtime total of 150%.
Identify which day is actually the weekly rest day. The law does not permit working that day more than twice consecutively without the worker’s written consent.
Official sources: Bahrain EDB: Labour Law for the Private Sector, Law No. 36 of 2012 (English text with listed amendments) · Official Gazette No. 3063: Law No. 36 of 2012 (Arabic original)
Official holidays are separate again
Article 64 provides for official paid holidays. Where work is required on such a day, the provision gives the worker a choice between the day’s wage plus an additional 150% of the normal wage, or another day of rest.
The earlier rule stating both a 150% total and a compulsory replacement day did not correctly explain this choice. Check the actual official holiday and applicable work arrangement.
Official sources: Bahrain EDB: Labour Law for the Private Sector, Law No. 36 of 2012 (English text with listed amendments)
Prepare a payroll calculation that can be checked
Keep the wage basis, hours, time of day and reason for the payment visible. The law’s ordinary-hours provisions and special-category decisions also matter; a percentage alone does not establish a compliant schedule.
- Separate ordinary additional hours, weekly rest-day work and official-holiday work.
- Check more favourable contract terms.
- Retain the attendance and payment records supporting each line.
- Obtain advice where the wage basis, worker category or overlapping entitlements are disputed.
Official sources: Bahrain EDB: Labour Law for the Private Sector, Law No. 36 of 2012 (English text with listed amendments)
Related guides
- Bahrain employment law: a private-sector checklist
- Bahrain employment contracts: terms and documents
- Probation in Bahrain: contract, duration and notice
- Bahrain working hours: ordinary limits, breaks and rest
- Annual leave in Bahrain: entitlement and unused balance
- Sick leave in Bahrain: eligibility, certification and pay
- Ending employment in Bahrain: notice, reason and settlement
- Bahrain gratuity calculations: service, salary and SIO
Ask BahrainAgent about document support. Authority decisions and legal outcomes cannot be guaranteed.