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Jordan

Vacation and Leave Policies

Understand the regulations on vacation and other types of leave in Jordan

Holiday leave

In Jordan, the Labor Law stipulates that all workers should receive 14 days of annual leave with full pay for each year of service. This leave entitlement increases to 21 days for employees who have served the same employer for five consecutive years.

Accrual and Carryover

The annual leave accrues throughout the employment year. If not used, the annual leave can be carried forward to the next year. However, the total accumulated leave should not exceed the limit of two years.

Termination and No Waiver

In case an employee's contract is terminated before they have utilized their accrued leave, they are entitled to compensation for the unused days. The Jordanian Labor Law also states that any agreement where an employee renounces their right to annual leave, either partially or fully, is deemed null and void.

Public holidays

Jordan celebrates a variety of national and religious holidays throughout the year.

National Holidays

Jordanians observe several national holidays, including:

  • New Year's Day on January 1st.
  • Labor Day on May 1st.
  • Independence Day on May 25th, which commemorates the country's independence from British rule in 1946.
  • Army Day on June 10th, which celebrates the Arab Revolt and the founding of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
  • King Abdullah II's Accession to the Throne, the date of which varies annually.
  • Christmas Day on December 25th, observed by Jordan's Christian community.

Religious Holidays

Religious holidays in Jordan include:

  • Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The duration of this holiday ranges from 3-4 days.
  • Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," a major Islamic holiday lasting approximately 4 days.
  • Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year), which is observed on the first day of the month of Muharram.
  • Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi), which celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Important Notes

The dates of Islamic holidays are based on the lunar Hijri calendar and can vary slightly from year to year. For the most accurate information, it is recommended to refer to the official Jordanian government announcements.

It is also common for the Jordanian government to adjust the observance of holidays, sometimes creating longer weekends. Always check the official announcements for the most up-to-date information.

Types of leave

In Jordan, the Labor Law outlines various types of leave entitlements for employees.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to 14 days of paid annual leave for each year of employment. After five consecutive years of service with the same employer, this extends to 21 days of paid annual leave. Leave accrues throughout the year and unused leave can be carried over to the next year, with a maximum accumulation of two years.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave per year upon providing a medical report from an approved doctor. Additional paid sick leave may be granted if hospitalization is required.

Maternity Leave

Women are entitled to 10 weeks of paid maternity leave, including periods before and after childbirth. New mothers are also entitled to nursing breaks during work hours for a period determined by agreement with the employer.

Paternity Leave

Men are entitled to three days of paid leave upon the birth of a child.

Other Types of Leave

Employees who have completed five consecutive years of service may be eligible for a one-time pilgrimage leave. The duration and terms are determined by the employer. In certain circumstances, employees may be granted unpaid leave for reasons such as accompanying a spouse on a work assignment. The Jordanian Labor Law also allows for leaves in instances like marriage, death of a close relative, or other special circumstances.

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