Overtime workers are offered to be paid 1.5 times instead of 2 times

On May 26, a draft law aimed at simplifying regulations on overtime pay and its duration was discussed at a meeting of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan faction in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. The discussion was reported by the party's press service.

Currently, the Labor Code stipulates that overtime work cannot exceed 120 hours per year and must be compensated at a rate of at least twice the employee’s regular wage. However, according to the faction, these requirements discourage employers from utilizing overtime as a labor mechanism.

The proposed amendments to the Labor Code aim to make overtime more flexible for employers. Under the draft law, the annual 120-hour cap on overtime would be abolished. Furthermore, the compensation rate for overtime work would be adjusted: the first two hours of overtime per day would be paid at no less than 1.5 times the regular wage, while any hours beyond that would continue to be paid at a minimum of twice the wage.

The draft law also accounts for cases involving unfavorable working conditions, stipulating that each hour of overtime in such conditions must be compensated at no less than double the wage.

Following the discussion, members of the Ecological Party faction provided feedback and supported the draft law.

For context, Article 189 of Uzbekistan’s Labor Code defines overtime work as any labor performed beyond the established working hours. Article 262 currently mandates that overtime work be paid at no less than double the standard wage.