Overtime and Break Laws in Dominican Republic (2026)
Código de Trabajo, Ley 16-92 · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
At least 35% extra for hours past the normal day (8) or week (44), up to 68 hours a week. 100% extra past 68 hours.
Breaks and lunch
The workday must be broken by a rest of at least 1 hour after 4 consecutive hours (1.5 hours after 5). Unpaid unless the worker must stay on site.
Overtime in Dominican Republic
- 1.35x pay for hours past 8 in a day.
- 1.35x pay for hours past 44 in a week.
- 2x pay for hours past 68 in a week.
- The workweek ends at noon Saturday unless the Ministry sets otherwise.
- Overtime for extraordinary workload is capped at 80 hours per quarter.
- Night work (21:00 to 07:00) pays at least 15% extra. Work on a legal holiday is paid at 100% extra.
- With Ministry approval, hours can be averaged over more than a week (44 a week average, max 10 a day). Continuous-operation shifts can average up to 50 a week, with hours past 44 paid as overtime.
- Excluded unless agreed: employer representatives, management and inspection staff, intermittent workers (max 10 hours on site).
Averaging over a pay period: Allowed with Ministry of Labor authorization (average 44 a week, max 10 a day)
What two weeks of work come to
Worked out by the rule above (1.35x after 44h in a week, 1.35x after 8h in a day, 2x after 68h in a week). Hours.
| Two weeks of | Regular | Overtime (1.35x) | At 2x |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days of 8 hours, two weeks (80h) | 80 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 days of 10 hours, two weeks (100h) | 80 | 20 | 0 |
| 6 days of 9 hours, two weeks (108h) | 88 | 20 | 0 |
| 50 hours, then 30 hours (80h) | 70 | 10 | 0 |
Breaks and lunch in Dominican Republic
- Meal break: 1 × 60 minutes, unpaid, for shifts of 4 hours or more.
| Shift | Rest breaks | Meal break |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 6 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 8 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 10 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 12 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
- Rest of 1.5 hours if the break comes after 5 consecutive hours.
- Does not apply to continuous-operation businesses. By agreement a straight shift (jornada corrida) is allowed, up to 10 hours in commerce or 9 in industry, within 44 a week.
- Meal time counts as paid work if the worker must remain at the workplace (art. 151).
- Weekly rest of 36 uninterrupted hours; working it pays 100% extra or equal compensatory rest.
Pay by Dominican Republic rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick Dominican Republic: the overtime and break rules above fill in, and every timesheet, report and payroll export follows them. Change any number to match your own contract.
Start freeOfficial sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rule in Dominican Republic?
At least 35% extra for hours past the normal day (8) or week (44), up to 68 hours a week. 100% extra past 68 hours.
Can overtime be averaged over two weeks or a pay period in Dominican Republic?
Allowed with Ministry of Labor authorization (average 44 a week, max 10 a day)
What breaks are required in Dominican Republic?
The workday must be broken by a rest of at least 1 hour after 4 consecutive hours (1.5 hours after 5). Unpaid unless the worker must stay on site.