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.

Length of Service and Leave Entitlement

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.

Important Notes

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.

Other Considerations

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.

Official Public Holidays

The Palestinian government establishes a fixed list of official public holidays each year. These holidays typically include:

• 1 January: New Year's Day.
• 1 May: Labor Day.
• 15 November: Independence Day.
• 25 December: Christmas Day (predominantly Christian areas).

Certain religious holidays may vary slightly from year to year due to their dependence on the Islamic lunar calendar.

Religious Holidays

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:

• Eid al-Fitr: This marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims. Celebrations typically last for two or three days.
• Eid al-Adha: The "Festival of the Sacrifice," coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and is a major holiday for Muslims.
• Mawlid an-Nabī: Commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

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.

Other Observances

• Nabi Musa: A religious festival held annually near Jericho, commemorating Moses.

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.

Mandatory Leave

Palestinian law dictates specific minimums for the following types of leave:

• Annual Leave: Employees accrue a minimum of 14 paid vacation days during each of the first five years of employment. After five years, the minimum entitlement increases to 21 paid vacation days per year.
• Maternity Leave: Pregnant employees are entitled to 10 weeks (70 days) of paid maternity leave, with at least 6 weeks following childbirth. Employers are prohibited from dismissing a woman worker while on maternity leave.
• Sick Leave: Based on a medical report, employees are entitled to a minimum of 14 days of paid sick leave each year.

Additional Leave Considerations

• Paternity Leave: While not mandated by law, some employers may offer paternity leave. Fathers are currently entitled to 3 days of leave upon the birth of a child, but this is separate from general sick leave provisions.
• Unpaid Leave: Palestinian labor law allows for unpaid leave in specific circumstances, though employer approval is required.

Further Considerations

• Carry-over of Leave: There is a limit on how much vacation leave an employee can accumulate. Palestinian law restricts the carry-over of unused vacation days to a maximum of four years.