Iraqi labor law sets the minimum standards for vacation leave for employees. After completing one year of continuous service, employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid vacation per year. For those who have worked for less than a year, leave allowances are given proportionally to the number of months worked during that year.

Increasing Vacation Time with Tenure

The amount of vacation time increases with an employee's tenure. After 5 years of employment, the entitlement increases by 2 days. This progression continues every 5 years, so after 10 years there are 4 extra days, after 15 years there are 6 extra days, and so on.

Additional Leave for Hazardous Jobs

Employees who are engaged in dangerous or hazardous work are eligible for 30 days of paid vacation annually, which is more than the standard allowance.

Timing and Carryover of Vacation Days

The specific timing of vacations is determined by an agreement between the employer and the employee. In principle, employees must use their annual leave within the calendar year. However, under specific circumstances, employers may approve carrying over a portion of those days, provided it's agreed upon in writing.

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

National Holidays

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st, marking the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.

Iraqi Army Day is observed on January 6th, commemorating the founding of the Iraqi Armed Forces.

Republic Day is celebrated on July 14th, commemorating the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Republic of Iraq in 1958.

National Day is observed on October 3rd, commemorating Iraq's independence from the United Kingdom in 1932.

Religious Holidays (Islamic Calendar)

As Iraq is a predominantly Muslim nation, several significant religious holidays follow the Islamic (Hijri) lunar calendar.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.

Ashura is a solemn day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

Mawlid al-Nabi commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

In Iraq, the labor law provides a variety of paid and unpaid leave entitlements for workers.

Paid Leave

Annual Leave: After one year of continuous employment, Iraqi employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave. For those working hazardous jobs, this entitlement increases to 30 days.

Sick Leave: Employees can avail up to 30 days of paid sick leave per year, with the possibility of extension up to 180 days covered by insurance. Medical certificates may be required.

Maternity Leave: Female employees are granted 72 days of paid maternity leave for childbirth.

Paternity Leave: Although there is no mandated paid paternity leave, Iraqi law does allow for time off under other leave provisions such as sick leave or annual leave upon agreement with the employer.

Bereavement Leave: Employees are entitled to five days of paid leave in the event of the death of a parent, spouse, spouse's parent, sibling, or child.

Marriage Leave: Employees are granted five days of paid leave on the occasion of their marriage.

Unpaid Leave

Leave for Sick Child: Parents can take up to 3 days of unpaid leave each year to care for a sick child under six years of age.

Pilgrimage Leave: Muslim employees may request unpaid leave for performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.