In Egypt, the Labor Law (Law No.12 of 2003) stipulates that employers must provide their employees with paid vacation time, also referred to as annual leave.

Minimum Vacation Entitlement

Once an employee has completed a minimum of six months of continuous service, they are entitled to 21 days of paid annual leave. Employees who have been with the company for ten years or are over the age of 50 are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave.

Accrual and Eligibility

Annual leave accrues throughout the period of employment, but it cannot be taken until the eligibility criteria have been met. The employer is responsible for determining the timing of the annual leave, but they should take into account the employee's preferences where possible.

Compensation

During their annual leave period, employees are entitled to receive their full pay.

Special Considerations

Employees have the option to carry over any unused vacation days to the following year. However, employers may request that employees use a portion of their leave within the current year.

Important Notes

Individual employment contracts or collective agreements may offer more generous vacation leave entitlements that exceed the legal minimums outlined above. Therefore, it's crucial to check your specific agreement for accurate details. Employers may also set additional policies regarding how and when vacation leave can be requested and used.

Egypt celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year, which can be categorized into fixed date holidays, religious holidays, and Coptic Christian holidays.

Fixed Date Holidays

Egypt observes several fixed date holidays, each with its own historical or national significance:

• Revolution Day (January 25th): This day commemorates the start of the Egyptian Revolution in 2011.
• Sinai Liberation Day (April 25th): This holiday celebrates the Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982.
• Labor Day (May 1st): This international holiday celebrates the contributions of workers.
• Revolution Day of 1952 (July 23rd): This day marks the anniversary of the revolution that overthrew King Farouk and established the modern Republic of Egypt.
• Armed Forces Day (October 6th): This day celebrates Egypt's military forces and commemorates the start of the 1973 war.

Religious Holidays

Egypt also observes a number of Islamic holidays, the dates of which vary each year as they follow the Islamic lunar calendar:

• Sham El Nessim: A spring festival of ancient Egyptian origin, celebrated by both Muslims and Christians in Egypt. It falls on the Monday following Coptic Easter Sunday.
• Eid al-Fitr: This holiday marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is usually celebrated for 2-3 days.
• Eid al-Adha: Known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," this holiday commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son and is usually celebrated for 4-5 days.
• Islamic New Year: This day marks the first day of the Islamic calendar.
• Mawlid an-Nabi: This holiday celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Coptic Christian Holidays

In addition to Islamic holidays, Egypt also observes Coptic Christian holidays:

• Coptic Christmas (January 7th): This day is celebrated by Coptic Christians in Egypt.
• Coptic Easter Sunday: The specific date for this holiday varies based on the Coptic calendar.

Egyptian labor laws provide different types of leave for employees, ensuring time away from work for various reasons. Here's an overview of the types of leave available:

Vacation Leave

• Entitlement: Egypt's Labor Law mandates a minimum of 21 days of annual paid leave for employees with at least six months of service. Employees with 10 years of service or at age 50+ are entitled to 30 days.
• Compensation: Employees receive full pay during vacation leave periods.

Sick Leave

• Entitlement: Employees become eligible for paid sick leave within the first three months of employment. The duration of paid sick leave can depend on the nature of the illness and length of service and may be subject to limits.
• Medical Certification: Employers can require a valid medical certificate to confirm the need for sick leave.
• Compensation: Paid sick leave may be fully or partially compensated.

Maternity Leave

• Entitlement: Female employees are entitled to 90 days of paid maternity leave. This leave typically cannot be taken before the last month of pregnancy.
• Compensation: Eligible employees can receive maternity benefits from Egypt's Social Insurance program.

Other Types of Leave

• Pilgrimage Leave (Hajj Leave): Employees are entitled to a one-time, fully paid leave for pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) during their employment.
• Special Circumstance Leave: Employees may be entitled to short-term paid leave for certain events like marriage, exams, or the death of close family members. The exact provisions may depend on employment agreements or workplace policies.
• Unpaid Leave: While not legally specified, employers may grant unpaid leave for extended personal circumstances, subject to approval.