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Sick leave in Bahrain: days and pay

Bahrain allows up to 55 days of sick leave a year, paid on a sliding scale (Bahrain Labour Law No. 36/2012, Art. 65).

In full: 15 days full pay, 20 days at half pay, then 20 days unpaid per year.

The pay bands

DaysPay
Days 1–15 (15 days)Full pay
Days 16–35 (20 days)50% of the wage
Days 36–55 (20 days)Unpaid

35 days of the 55 days are paid; the rest are unpaid but still count as sick leave.

Falling sick during annual leave

The law does not say whether sick days during annual leave pause it, so the contract or company policy decides.

These are the statutory baselines, stated for general information — not legal advice. Entitlements can vary with tenure, sector, and contract; verify your specific case.

Frequently asked questions

How many sick days a year does the law allow in Bahrain?

Up to 55 days a year: 15 days full pay, 20 days at half pay, then 20 days unpaid per year (Bahrain Labour Law No. 36/2012, Art. 65).

Is sick leave paid in full in Bahrain?

Only the first 15 days at full pay. After that: 15 days full pay, 20 days at half pay, then 20 days unpaid per year.

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