Working hours, overtime and annual leave in North Cyprus
· KıbrısCV
Private-sector employment in North Cyprus is governed by the Labour Law (İş Yasası, 22/1992). This guide summarises the questions people ask most, with article numbers.
Working hours
You may not be made to work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, excluding meal breaks (Art. 31). Unless a contract says otherwise, the weekly rest runs from Saturday 13:00 to the end of Sunday (Art. 33).
Overtime pay
| Situation | Pay |
|---|---|
| Overtime on a normal working day | Hourly wage +50% (Art. 27) |
| Work on the weekly rest day | One extra full wage (Art. 27) |
| Work on a public holiday | One extra full wage (Art. 40) |
- Overtime is limited to 4 hours a day and 90 working days a year (Art. 27).
- Overtime requires your consent (Art. 27).
- Public holidays are paid even when you do not work (Art. 40).
Annual paid leave
You qualify after 6 months of service, including probation (Art. 43):
| Service | Annual leave |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 14 working days |
| 5 to under 10 years | 18 working days |
| 10 to under 15 years | 22 working days |
| 15 years or more | 25 working days |
- Unused leave can carry over up to 50 working days (Art. 46).
- Unused leave is paid when employment ends (Art. 50).
Maternity and nursing leave
- 12 weeks in total: 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after birth (Art. 56); optional extra unpaid leave of 6 weeks before and after.
- 2 hours a day of nursing time for 9 months after birth, without pay deduction (Art. 56).
Sources
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Rules can change; check with the relevant official body before acting.