Understanding Your Employee Rights in Israel: A Guide for Foreign Workers

Employee Rights for Foreign Workers in IsraelWelcome to Israel! As you embark on your new journey, it's essential to understand your rights as an employee in this vibrant country. Navigating the workplace in a foreign land can be challenging, but being well-informed about your rights is the first step toward ensuring a fair and respectful work environment. This guide provides crucial information about employee rights in Israel, tailored for foreign workers.

1. Work Hours and Rest Periods

The standard workweek in Israel is 42 hours, typically spread across Sunday to Thursday. Overtime pay is mandatory:

• 125% of the regular wage for the first two hours of overtime.
• 150% for additional hours.

Employees are entitled to one full day of rest per week, which is typically Saturday (Shabbat) for Jewish workers, Friday for Muslim workers, or Sunday for Christian workers.

2. Minimum Wage

As of January 2025, the minimum wage in Israel is:

• 5,700 ILS per month for full-time employment (42 hours/week).
• 30.61 ILS per hour for hourly workers.

These rates are updated periodically, so it’s essential to verify changes through trusted sources like Kav LaOved's Workers' Rights Leaflet.

3. Sick Leave and Vacation

Sick Leave:

• Accrues at 1.5 days per month of employment, up to a maximum of 90 days.
• Payment during sick leave:
  • First day: No payment.
  • Second and third days: 50% of the regular wage.
  • From the fourth day onward: 100% of the regular wage.

Vacation Days: The number of vacation days depends on the length of employment:

• 1-4 years: 12 days per year.
• 5 years or more: Increases incrementally, up to 24 days after 20 years of employment.

4. Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave:

• Mothers are entitled to 26 weeks of leave, of which 15 weeks are fully paid by the National Insurance Institute.
• Additional unpaid leave is available for the remaining weeks.

Paternity Leave:

• Fathers can use part of the maternity leave if the mother agrees, or they can take leave using accrued vacation or sick days.

5. Termination and Severance Pay

Employees are entitled to:

• Advance noticebefore termination:
  • 1 day for each month of employment in the first year.
  • 1 week for each year of employment thereafter.
• Severance pay if terminated after at least 1 year of employment:
  • Calculated as 1 month’s salary per year of employment.

Employers are prohibited from dismissing employees without just cause.

6. Discrimination and Harassment

Israeli law prohibits workplace discrimination based on:

• Race
• Religion
• Gender
• Age
• Nationality
• Sexual orientation

Harassment, including sexual harassment, is strictly forbidden. Employees can report violations to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or organizations like Kav LaOved.

Additional Resources

Foreign workers in Israel have specific protections, including:

• Access to legal aid and worker advocacy groups like Kav LaOved.
• Assistance with issues such as withheld wages, unsafe work conditions, and unfair dismissal.

For more detailed information, refer to Kav LaOved's Workers' Rights Leaflet or their updated handbook for foreign workers (2024 PDF).

Note: This information is accurate as of January 2025. Stay informed about updates through reliable resources like Kav LaOved.