This study examines the labour use pattern and its determinants in rural Bangladesh. Based on a year-long weekly survey of selected households in two areas in Bangladesh, the study finds, inter alia, that about half the potential labour time in the rural area remains unutilised in economic activities; a large part of the unemployed time is accounted for by females and child labour. The study examines variations in labour use over seasons by sex and by household categories. A stabilising influence of non-agricultural employment on total employment is noted. Contrary to the normal expectations, however, the new seed-fertiliser-water technology is found to cause greater fluctuations in both agricultural and non-agricultural labour use over time. A regression analysis of the determinants of total labour use shows a negative influence of both ownership and education variables on labour use. Education is however seen to be positively associated with non-agricultural labour use. The study also examines some conceptual and definitional problems in the measurement of labour force and labour time.