A guide to workers’ rights
in Palestine
A practical guide to workers’ basic rights, covering wages, working hours, leave, occupational safety and health, employment injuries, termination of employment and ways to claim entitlements.
Your guide to labour rights in Palestine
This guide offers practical, accessible information on key workers’ rights in Palestine under Labour Law No. 7 of 2000 and related regulations and decisions. It helps workers understand employment rights and identify the procedures and authorities available when a violation occurs.
Understand your workplace rights
Go directly to a topic, from pay and working hours to occupational injuries, termination of employment and legal procedures.
Equality and non-discrimination at work
The Labour Law applies to anyone working for an employer for pay under their direction and supervision, whether the work is permanent, temporary, casual or seasonal and whether the contract is written or oral.
The right to pay and a minimum wage
Entitlement to pay
Workers are entitled to pay for work and duties performed within the employment relationship.
Payment date
Wages must be paid on time and must not be delayed more than five days after the due date.
Equal pay
Women are entitled to equal pay with men for equal work. Pay discrimination between women and men is prohibited.
Payment method
Wages are paid in the currency in circulation in accordance with the Labour Law and related regulations and decisions.
Working hours and the right to rest
Hours per week
Statutory weekly working hours, spread over at least five days.
Hours per day
Maximum daily working hours as stated in the guide.
Overtime hours per week
Overtime may be agreed up to a maximum of twelve hours per week.
- Workers are entitled to paid weekly rest.
- Weekly rest must be at least one day after six consecutive working days.
- Weekly rest may be accumulated and taken at the end of the month under the conditions set by law.
- Working hours are reduced by one hour per day for hazardous, night-time and health-damaging work.
Workers’ leave entitlements
Days of annual leave
Workers are entitled to at least 14 days of paid annual leave each year.
Days of annual leave
This rises to 21 days after five years at the workplace or for hazardous or health-damaging work.
Sick leave
14 days at full pay and a further 14 at half pay, subject to the required conditions and medical report.
Days of bereavement leave
Three days of paid leave upon the death of a relative up to the second degree.
Days of workers’ cultural leave
Paid leave to participate in workers’ cultural activities.
Days for Hajj
One-time paid leave to perform Hajj, under the conditions set by law.
Women workers’ rights
Days of maternity leave
A woman who has completed 180 working days before each birth is entitled to ten weeks (70 days) of paid maternity leave.
Breastfeeding hour per day
A breastfeeding worker is entitled to one or more breaks totalling at least one hour per day for one year from childbirth.
Young workers’ rights
Minimum working age
Employment of children under fifteen is prohibited.
Working hours per day
Young workers must not work more than six and a half hours per day.
Days of annual leave
Young workers are entitled to three weeks of paid annual leave, which cannot be deferred.
- A medical examination is required before employment and periodically thereafter.
- Young workers must not work more than four consecutive hours.
- Night work by young workers is prohibited.
- They must not work on official or religious holidays or public holidays under the law.
- Overtime and legally prohibited work are not permitted.
Occupational safety and health at work
Every worker has the right to a safe and healthy environment. Employers must take measures to prevent occupational risks and meet safety and health requirements.
Personal protective equipment
Provide protective clothing, goggles, gloves, footwear, masks and other equipment suited to the work.
First aid
The establishment must provide one or more first-aid kits supervised by someone familiar with their use.
Medical examinations
Initial and periodic medical examinations appropriate to the work are at the employer’s expense.
Health and hygiene requirements
These include safe drinking water, suitable sanitation, and changing and eating facilities as required by the workplace.
Occupational injuries and compensation
- Provide necessary first aid and transport the injured person to the nearest treatment centre.
- The employer is responsible for the injured worker’s treatment and necessary medical expenses.
- Employers must insure their workers against occupational injuries through the designated bodies in Palestine.
- Occupational injuries must be reported to the competent authorities within the prescribed procedures and deadlines.
Temporary incapacity
If an occupational injury prevents work, the worker is entitled to 75% of their daily wage during temporary incapacity, for no more than 180 days.
Permanent disability
Compensation varies according to whether disability is permanent partial or permanent total, the disability percentage and applicable law.
Workers’ rights when employment ends
Certificate of employment
At the end of employment, workers are entitled to a certificate stating their name, type of work and length of service.
End-of-service benefit
Workers are entitled to end-of-service benefits and other entitlements according to service length and the manner in which employment ends.
- Unused annual leave is payable in accordance with the law.
- Any unpaid overtime is payable.
- Outstanding wages and unpaid financial entitlements are payable.
- Workers retain other legal entitlements accrued before employment ended.
Disciplinary penalties
Disciplinary penalties must not be imposed arbitrarily. They must be based on disciplinary rules and relate to a work-related breach.
- An employment relationship exists between worker and employer.
- A duly approved disciplinary schedule exists.
- The disciplinary breach is related to work and occurs during working time.
- Disciplinary penalties follow a graduated approach.
- Statutory rights, such as the right to strike and engage in union activity, must not be infringed.
- No double penalty for the same breach.
- The penalty must be proportionate to the breach.
Legal protection and penalties
How can you claim your labour rights?
Ministry of Labour directorates
Workers may submit a labour complaint to a Labour Directorate for follow-up under the applicable procedures.
Trade unions
Workers can seek support from trade unions concerned with workers’ rights.
Specialist rights organisations
Organisations may provide legal assistance, help resolve labour disputes and offer representation where needed.
The courts
Workers may use the established court procedures and appoint a lawyer to bring a claim for their rights.
Have your labour rights been violated?
If a violation concerns pay, working hours, leave, safety and health, an occupational injury, dismissal or another labour right, contact the Palestinian Labour Rights Observatory for available information, guidance and assistance.