there are three ways of defining long work
hours:
1. hours exceeding the normal statutory hours: this highlights the fact that the normal
statutory hours determine a socially acceptable level of working time;
2. hours exceeding the maximum hours of work beyond which negative consequences on
workers are known to be visible: the effects on health and safety are crucial;
3. hours exceeding those which workers prefer to work.
As article 16 of the ILO Reduction of Hours of Work Recommendation (1962) states, overtime means
all hours worked in excess of normal hours (Spurgeon, 2003). Thus, in this research, we will follow
the ILO definition that overtime means work hours exceeding the normal statuary hours which
determine a socially acceptable level, meaning generally more than 48 hours per week.
2.3 WHAT IS EXCESSIVE OVERTIME?
The term ‘excessive overtime’ identifies not only the hours exceeding those maximum hours defined
by national statutory regulations on working time or relevant international standards, but also the
hours of work that have negative consequences on workers - the second definition of overtime (see
above). The issue of workers being exposed to potential health and safety risks relating to long
working hours is the key point that separates ‘excessive overtime’ from ‘overtime’.
The European Union (EU) Working Time Directive (1993) states that the improvement of workers’
safety, hygiene and health at work is an objective which should not be subordinated to purely
economic considerations. Although the risks vary depending on how the hours are organized, the
nature of the work, and the characteristics of individuals, there is strong evidence that working mo