Absence from Work for a Foreign Worker During Pregnancy (Right)

Introduction:

A foreign worker is entitled to miss work for pregnancy tests without deduction from her salary

A foreign worker that stops working because of her pregnancy is entitled to receive a B/2 visa until she gives birth so that her stay in Israel is legal

A foreign worker is not entitled to receive a Bed Rest Benefit but she is entitled to use her accrued Sick Days in order to be absent from work

For additional information see section 7 of the Women's Employment Law and section c9 of the Procedure for foreign workers that are pregnant and give birth in Israel

A foreign worker who is pregnant is entitled to be absent from work due to certain pregnancy related circumstances.

• A pregnant foreign worker is entitled to be absent from work for pregnancy related tests without deduction from her salary in the same way Israeli employees are.
• A pregnant foreign worker who is on bed rest is not entitled to a Bed Rest Benefit even if a doctor determined that she has to be on rest.
• The worker can use her accrued Sick Days during this period and receive Sick Pay on condition she brings a sick note from the doctor.
• Additionally she is entitled to request from her employer to use her accrued vacation days and miss days from work during this period at the expense of her annual vacation days.
• The worker can advance her maternity leave and begin it up to 7 weeks before her due date in the same way Israeli employees can.

Who is eligible?

• A foreign worker who is pregnant.

How to claim it?

• For information on missing work for pregnancy tests see Absence from Work for Routine Pregnancy Tests.
• For information on using sick days see Sick Days and Sick Pay.
• For information on using annual vacation days see annual vacation.
• For information on beginning maternity leave early see Maternity Leave.

Please note

• A foreign worker that stops working because of her pregnancy is entitled to receive a B/2 visa until she gives birth so that her stay in Israel is legal.
• She also has to submit a request for a B/2 visa for after she gives birth. If she wishes to continue working after giving birth she also has to arrange a B/1 work visa. For additional information see Living and Working in Israel as Foreign Worker After Giving Birth.

Aid Organizations

Aid Organizations for Foreign Workers

• Worker's Hotline
• Hotline for Refugees and Migrants
• Mesila - Center for Information and Assistance for Migrant Workers and Asylum Seekers living in Tel Aviv
• Schar Mitzva - Voluntary Legal Aid for the Poor
• Physicians for Human Rights - Israel
• The Association for Civil Rights in Israel

Aid Organizations for Employers of Foreign Workers

• For a list of organizations in the nursing care field

Government Agencies

• The Foreign Workers' Rights Ombudsman
• The Population and Immigration Authority

Laws and Regulations

• The Women's Employment Law - section 7.
• The Population and Immigration Authority Procedure no. 5.3.0023 from 20.05.2013 - Procedure for foreign workers that are pregnant and give birth in Israel - section c9.

Credits

English translation and maintenance by The Shira Pransky Project.