Foreign Worker Rights in the State of Israel

Basic Rights

Minimum Wage

• Entitlement to minimum wage by law (as of the end of 2025: approximately 6,248 NIS gross per month)
• Monthly payment – till the 9th of the following month

Working hours

• Regular working day: up to 8 hours
• Working week: up to 43-47 hours (depending on the industry)
• Overtime pay at an increased rate (125%-150%)
• Weekly rest – at least 36 consecutive hours

Social rights

Annual employee leave

• First year: 12 days of leave
• From the second year: 14 days
• Fifth year: 16-18 days
• Full vacation payment

Sickness days

• One and a half days for each month of work
• Accumulation up to 90 days
• Payment for the first few days (depending on seniority)

Convalescence Allowance

• Entitlement to annual convalescence allowance- amount depends on seniority

Insurance and Protections

National Insurance

• Full National Insurance
• Entitlement to benefits in the event of:
  • Work accident
  • Occupational disease
  • Loss of work capacity
  • Death (family benefits)

Health Insurance

• Health Insurance (Private or Public, Depending on Industry and Status)
• Emergency Medical Treatment

Severance Pay

• Eligibility for Severance Pay – One Month’s Salary for Each Year of Work
• Or: Payment to Pension Fund/Training Fund During Work

Working conditions

Safety

• Safe working environment
• Personal protective equipment as appropriate
• Safety training in understandable language

Housing (in certain industries)

• Decent and safe housing
• Compliance with space and sanitation standards
• In many cases – housing is provided at no cost or for a nominal fee

Respect and decency

• Prohibition of sexual harassment
• Prohibition of discrimination
• Prohibition of abuse or degrading treatment

Additional rights

Education/pension fund

• Employer contributions: approximately 6%-7.5% of salary
• Employee contributions: approximately 5%-6% of salary (depending on the agreement)

Advance notice

• In the event of dismissal – advance notice or payment on the spot
• The period depends on seniority (from one month to 3.5 months)

Appeal and receipts

• Right to receive detailed pay slips
• Right to appeal the terms of the contract
• Applying to a labor court

Special protections

Prohibition of passport confiscation – the employer is not permitted to retain the employee’s passport – this is a criminal offense.

Prohibition of payment for the permit – the employee does not have to pay for the employment permit, this is the employer’s responsibility.

Right to change employer – Under certain circumstances, the employee can transfer to another employer according to Population Authority procedures.

Foreign workers can contact with any problem to

• Ministry of Labor : For filing complaints about rights violations
• National Insurance : To receive social rights
• Lawyers who handle foreign workers and labor courts : for legal claims
• Aid organizations : Kav LaOved, Kavod, and other non-profit organizations.

Important to know: These rights are protected by law, and violating them is a crime. A foreign worker whose rights are violated can contact the authorities without fear of deportation, and there are legal protections for complainants.