Election Day, 27.10.2026: What Employees Are Entitled To, and What Employers Pay

Category: Payroll & Employees | Reading time: approx. 4 minutes

On Tuesday, 27 October 2026, the elections for the 26th Knesset will be held. Under Basic Law: The Knesset, election day is a rest day — but transport services and other public services operate as usual. For employers, this means a paid rest day that directly affects the October payslip.

Who Is Entitled to Pay for Election Day

Under section 136 of the Knesset Elections Law, an employee who has worked for an employer for at least 14 consecutive days close to election day is entitled to be paid by the employer the wage they would have earned on election day, had it not been a rest day.

• Monthly employee — the salary is not reduced because of election day.
• Hourly or daily employee — entitled to pay for the hours they would have worked that day under their regular work schedule. Someone for whom Tuesday is not a working day is not entitled to any additional payment.
• Vacation balance — election day is a paid rest day, and it must not be deducted from the employee's vacation days.

According to professional publications, there is a dispute over whether the 14 days are days actually worked or whether 14 days of an employment relationship suffice, and the National Labor Court has not yet decided it. For an employee who started work shortly before the elections, it is worth examining the situation on its merits.

An Employee Who Works on Election Day

Work on election day is, as a rule, by agreement. The law itself does not set a rate for someone who works that day, but under the accepted practice the employee is entitled to 200% of the regular wage for the hours worked — the pay under section 136, plus the pay for the work itself. Another accepted alternative: regular pay for the work, plus paid time off at another date equal to the number of hours worked.

There are different interpretations of the calculation base for overtime on that day. It is therefore worth setting the arrangement in advance, and documenting the hours and the alternative chosen.

Services That Operate as Usual

In transport and the public services that Basic Law: The Knesset says will operate as usual, election day is not a rest day. According to reports, a practice established between the Histadrut and employers, and rulings of the regional labor courts, grant these employees 200% for the hours worked that day as well.

Employees Who Are Not Israeli Citizens

Section 136A of the law sets a special arrangement for an employee who is not an Israeli citizen and is employed in caregiving for an individual, hotels, restaurants, construction, agriculture or industry:

• Worked on election day — receives their regular wage, without the additional payment under section 136;
• Was absent although required to work — is not entitled to pay under section 136. If the absence is justified — illness, annual leave, holidays, compensatory rest, mourning, or absence permitted under the Employment of Women Law — they are entitled to their regular wage, as on any other day.

A collective agreement, an extension order or an employment contract may grant better rights.

What to Check in the October Payslip

1. Mark 27.10 in the payroll system as election day — not as a vacation day.
2. For every hourly and daily employee, check seniority (14 consecutive days) and their regular Tuesday schedule.
3. For anyone who worked — document the hours and the arrangement chosen: 200%, or regular pay plus time off at another date.
4. For non-Israeli employees in the sectors listed in section 136A — apply the separate arrangement.

Read our full article: Form 101 — What to Check →

Payroll services page →

Sources

1. Basic Law: The Knesset, section 10 (Hebrew). View the text
2. Knesset Elections Law [Consolidated Version], 5729–1969, sections 136 and 136A (Hebrew). View the text

This article is for general information and does not constitute legal or professional advice. A collective agreement, an extension order or a personal contract may set different arrangements — if in doubt, get advice.

Kind regards,
Hager-Alperowitz & Co. — Certified Public Accountants