The 2025 revisions to Egypt’s labor law have made it simpler to understand what sick leave in Egyptian labor law entails. Whether you work a desk job, in manufacturing, or as a freelancer, understanding how much leave you are entitled to will help you safeguard both your health and your wallet.
Let’s take a look at what has changed in the legislation, how sick leave now works, and how it relates to other forms of leave under Egyptian labor law.
How Sick Leave Policies Changed in the 2025 Egyptian Labor Law
The new law introduces a more organized structure to sick leave, especially for people working in industrial sectors. It lays out who qualifies, how long they can take off, how much they’ll be paid during that time, and the conditions under which sick leave might be accepted or denied.
Duration of Sick Leave and Pay Entitlements
Under the 2025 Egyptian labor law, industrial sector employees can access sick leave once every three-year period. Your compensation during this time follows a tiered structure based on duration:
- Initial 3 months: Full salary (100%)
- Following 6 months: 85% of your regular pay
- Last 3 months: 75% of your usual salary
Pretty generous, right? While your earnings decrease as your absence extends, the legislation still provides you with paid time off for an entire year. The catch is that you’ll need medical authority confirmation that your recovery is achievable.
Required Documentation and Medical Proof
To make your sick leave official, you’ll need to provide:
- Medical documentation or certification from an authorized, government-recognized medical facility
- Potentially an additional examination or secondary medical assessment if requested by your employer
- Additional paperwork if your absence extends past specific time limits
Missing documentation means your employer can legally reject your application.
Can Employers Reject Sick Leave Requests?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. If the medical authority doesn’t sign off on your illness or recovery chances, or if you miss deadlines or submit incomplete papers, your leave can be denied.
Still, any rejection must be done through the proper legal process. If you believe your leave was denied unfairly, you’re allowed to raise a complaint.
Legal Remedies if Sick Leave Rights Are Denied
If your sick leave in Egyptian labor law rights are violated, don’t worry—you’ve got options. You can:
- Submit a complaint to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
- Start a formal dispute resolution process (which should be sorted out within 90 days)
- Take the issue to the labor court if needed
If your employer turns down valid sick leave without a good reason, they could face penalties or be ordered to pay you back.
Sick Leave vs. Other Types of Leave in Egyptian Labor Law
The 2025 law does a good job outlining all Egyptian labor law types of leave, so you know exactly where you stand. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Annual Leave:
- 15 days in the first year after 6 months of service
- 21 days after completing a full year
- 30 days after 10 years or at age 50+
- Casual Leave:
- Up to 7 days per year, no more than 2 consecutive days per instance
- Maternity Leave:
- 120 paid days, up to 3 times throughout employment
- Paternity Leave:
- 1 paid day per child, up to 3 times during service
- Public Holidays:
- Fully paid official holidays
- Hajj Leave under Egyptian Labor Law:
- One-time fully paid leave for up to 1 month to perform Hajj, granted after 5 years of continuous service
- Quarantine Leave:
- Up to 3 months, granted if the employee has been in contact with a contagious case
- Unpaid Leave:
- Can be granted with employer approval, usually for personal reasons
So, whether you’re dealing with health concerns, preparing for Hajj, or simply need some time off, the new law provides a wide variety of labor law leave days.
Final Thoughts
Getting familiar with your sick leave in Egyptian labor law rights has never been more critical. The 2025 changes have made medical leave and vacation provisions much more transparent and fair for everyone.
Always review your employment agreement or check with HR whenever something seems unclear, like when your leave gets rejected or you’re uncertain about your choices. Remember, you can always contact the Ministry of Manpower directly to
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