Knowing the current overtime rates in Zambia helps you budget for extra shifts and verify your payslip. Use our overtime calculator to compute your exact overtime pay based on your basic salary and working schedule.
Overtime Rates Under Section 45
The Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019, Section 45, prescribes the following rates:
Overtime Type | Rate | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
Ordinary day | 1.5x hourly rate | Mon-Sat (beyond normal hours) |
Rest day | 2x hourly rate | Employer-designated weekly rest (typically Sunday) |
Public holiday | 2x hourly rate | Gazetted public holidays |
What Qualifies as a Rest Day?
The statutory working week under the Employment Code Act is 48 hours over 6 days (Monday to Saturday), with Sunday as the statutory rest day. However, employers who operate a 5-day week (Monday to Friday) designate both Saturday and Sunday as rest days - both attract 2x. The key factor is your employer's defined working week.
Overtime Pay at Common Salary Levels
The table below shows overtime pay per hour at different basic salary levels, for both 5-day (22 working days) and 6-day (26 working days) schedules.
Basic Pay | Schedule | Hourly Rate | Ordinary (1.5x) | Rest/Holiday (2x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
K8,000 | 22 days | K45.45 | K68.18 | K90.91 |
K8,000 | 26 days | K38.46 | K57.69 | K76.92 |
K10,000 | 22 days | K56.82 | K85.23 | K113.64 |
K10,000 | 26 days | K48.08 | K72.12 | K96.15 |
K15,000 | 22 days | K85.23 | K127.84 | K170.45 |
K15,000 | 26 days | K72.12 | K108.17 | K144.23 |
K20,000 | 22 days | K113.64 | K170.45 | K227.27 |
K20,000 | 26 days | K96.15 | K144.23 | K192.31 |
Zambia Public Holidays 2026
Overtime worked on any of the following gazetted public holidays attracts the 2x rate:
1 January - New Year's Day
8 March - International Women's Day
12 March - Youth Day
3 April - Good Friday
5 April - Easter Saturday
7 April - Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
25 May - Africa Day
1 July - Heroes' Day
2 July - Unity Day
3 August - Farmers' Day
18 October - National Prayer Day
24 October - Independence Day
25 December - Christmas Day
To see how overtime affects your PAYE deductions, try the PAYE calculator. Planning annual leave? Use the leave days calculator.