Rights of Part-time Workers under the Provisions of the Palestinian Labor Law no. 7, 2000

Abstract

Part-time work derives its importance from its alignment with the needs of the Palestinian labor market and its contribution to reducing unemployment rates. Additionally, it offers real benefits that cater to workers seeking extra income to meet their personal and family needs, especially amid the current high cost of living and increasing financial obligations. Given these challenges, many workers aim to be employed by multiple employers simultaneously to secure a higher income.

At the same time, this system also meets the needs of employers, as many tasks can be completed without requiring a full-time employment contract, whether for a fixed or indefinite period. Instead, specific working hours per week may be sufficient to accomplish the required work.

This highlights the importance of regulating part-time work through clear legal provisions that guarantee the rights of both parties in the employment relationship and explicitly define their obligations. However, due to the absence of legislative regulation on this matter within the provisions of the applicable Palestinian Labor Law no. 7, 2000, we have examined the nature of part-time work and the associated labor rights in this article. Our findings indicate that part-time workers are entitled to labor rights if the fundamental elements of an employment relationship between the worker and employer exist. Notably that, these rights should be calculated on basis proportionate to the actual working hours and agreed-upon wages.