Understand the regulations on vacation and other types of leave in Palestine
In Palestine, the labor law outlines a minimum vacation leave entitlement for all employees, with the specific number of days depending on the length of service with the same employer.
For the first five years of employment, employees accrue a minimum of 14 paid vacation days. After the initial five years, the minimum entitlement increases to 21 paid vacation days per year.
These are the minimum requirements outlined by law. However, private employment contracts or company policies may offer more generous vacation leave provisions. Employers are not allowed to require employees to forfeit accrued vacation days. There is a limit on how much vacation leave an employee can accumulate, with Palestinian law restricting the carry-over of unused vacation days to a maximum of four years.
Weekends that fall within an employee's designated vacation period are typically counted as part of the leave.
Palestine observes a variety of public holidays throughout the year, including religious festivals, national days, and international observances.
The Palestinian government establishes a fixed list of official public holidays each year. These holidays typically include:
Certain religious holidays may vary slightly from year to year due to their dependence on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Religious holidays play a significant role in Palestinian culture, with both Muslim and Christian holidays being observed. Here's a brief overview of some prominent ones:
The exact dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon and may vary slightly each year.
Fridays serve as the weekly day of rest in predominantly Muslim areas, with businesses typically closing for the day. While not a public holiday, the Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) may see some businesses close for the day.
In Palestine, labor law guarantees employees various leave entitlements to address personal needs and situations. These include mandatory leave, such as annual leave, maternity leave, and sick leave, as well as additional leave considerations like paternity leave and unpaid leave.
Palestinian law dictates specific minimums for the following types of leave:
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