Maternity Leave: Rights, Payments, and Protection from Dismissal

Core Concept

Maternity leave in Israel is a legally protected right for a female employee to a paid leave for pregnancy and childbirth. Payments are made by the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi), not by the employer. The primary objective is to provide the mother with financial stability and the opportunity to recover after childbirth while preserving her employment.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for paid maternity leave (dmei lida) depends on your work history for a specific period before childbirth. You must meet one of the following criteria:

Full payment (15 weeks): You have paid Bituach Leumi contributions as an employee or a self-employed individual for 10 out of the 14 months or 15 out of the 22 months preceding the expected date of birth.
Partial payment (8 weeks): You have paid contributions for 6 out of the 14 months preceding the expected date of birth.

Who is not eligible?

Women who have not accumulated the minimum qualifying period (tkufat achshara).
Employees for whom the employer has not paid Bituach Leumi contributions (this must be verified in your personal Bituach Leumi account).

Your Rights

Your rights as a pregnant woman and a new mother are protected by law and include several key aspects.

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Right	Description
Protection from Dismissal	An employer is prohibited from dismissing a pregnant employee (with at least 6 months of tenure at the current workplace), as well as a woman during her maternity leave and for 60 days thereafter, without a special permit from the Ministry of Labor.
Paid Leave	15 weeks (105 days) for a full entitlement or 8 weeks (56 days) for a partial entitlement. You may begin the leave up to 7 weeks before the expected date of birth. 7 weeks of the leave are mandatory.
"Nursing Hour"	Upon returning to work, you are entitled to work 1 hour less per day with no reduction in salary. This right is valid for 4 months following the end of maternity leave.
Leave Extension	You may extend your leave at your own expense (`CHALAT` - unpaid leave) for a period of up to 1/4 of your total time worked for the current employer, but not exceeding one year.

Step-by-Step Guide

Notify your employer. Officially inform your employer of your pregnancy in the 5th month. This activates your protection from dismissal.
Childbirth. After delivery, the hospital automatically transmits the birth information to Bituach Leumi. Ensure that your details, especially your bank account number, are correct.
Filing a claim for Maternity Allowance (Dmei Lida). In most cases, the claim is filed automatically by the hospital. If this does not occur (e.g., you had a home birth or your bank details were not provided), you must submit the online form yourself on the Bituach Leumi website.
Receiving payments. The first payment is typically received within a few weeks of the claim being filed. The funds are transferred directly to your bank account.
Returning to work. Notify your employer in advance of your return date, especially if you plan to exercise your right to the "nursing hour."

Document Checklist

Gather these documents to avoid delays.

Identity Card (Teudat Zehut).
Bank account management confirmation (Ishur Nihul Heshbon) or a voided check to confirm bank details.
Hospital birth certificate (Ishur Leida). This is usually transmitted automatically.
Maternity allowance claim form (if filing manually). Verify the form number on the Bituach Leumi website.

Pitfalls

Qualifying Period (Tkufat Achshara). This is the most critical criterion. A shortfall of even a few days in the required period can disqualify you from receiving payments. Check your status in advance in your personal Bituach Leumi account.
Protection from dismissal is not absolute. In rare cases (e.g., business closure), an employer may obtain a permit for dismissal.
Working during maternity leave. It is strictly prohibited to work and receive a salary during paid maternity leave. Doing so will result in the cancellation of payments and penalties.
Leave extension. You must notify your employer of your intention to extend your leave at your own expense (CHALAT) in advance, within the timeframes stipulated by law.

Contacts and Links

For the most up-to-date information, forms, and payment calculation tools, visit the official website of the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi).

Official Website: Search on Google for ביטוח לאומי דמי לידה.
Call Center: Verify the phone number on the official Bituach Leumi website.

IMPORTANT: Do not trust unofficial sources. Always verify amounts, deadlines, and conditions on the official government website.

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