Setting Standard Or Alternative Working Hours In China

Employers are normally obliged to utilise the standard working hours, as prescribed by the Labour Law of the People's Republic of China ('Labour Law'). In cases where the constraints of the work characteristics or production limits the implementation of the standard working hours, the employer may apply the flexible working time or cumulative working time system. Such alternative working hours are subject to case-by-case approval by the labour administrative department.

What Are Standard Working Hours?

Standard working hours are restricted to 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week on average. Employers are obliged to guarantee at least one day off in a week.

Working hours may be extended after consultation with the trade union and employees but restricted to one hour maximum per day. Under special circumstances, and if employees' health is unaffected, the working hours may be extended to three hours maximum per day, and the accumulated total extension shall