On the whole, China adopts a standard system of eight-hour workdays and 40-hour work weeks.

If the standard system cannot be implemented due to limitations resulting from the nature of the work or the characteristics of production, systems of irregular working hours and comprehensive working hour calculation are permissible upon approval.

Employers shall ensure that their employed laborers have at least one day off every week. To meet the needs of production and operation, employers are allowed to extend their employees' working hours following consultation with the trade union and with the employee.

The extended working time is generally not to exceed one hour per day; if employers need to further extend working hours under special circumstances, the extended working time shall not exceed  three hours per day or 36 hours per month in total; furthermore, extended working hours are only allowable on the condition that they do not harm the health of employees. Laborers are entitled to overtime pay. If the laborer is required to extend working hours beyond the legal standard in accordance with laws, he/she shall be paid no less than 150% of the hourly wage stipulated in the labor contract; if the laborer is required to work on a rest day (usually Saturday and Sunday) in accordance with laws and compensatory leave cannot be arranged, he/she shall be paid no less than 200% of the hourly or daily wage stipulated in the labor contract; if the laborer is required to work in legal holidays in accordance with laws, he/she shall be paid no less than 300% of the hourly or daily wage stipulated in the labor contract.

Updated on Jan. 22, 2024

Source: Foreign Investment Guide of the People's Republic of China (2023 Edition)