Sick Leave in Bahrain: 55 Days of Sick Leave — How the Tiers Work

Bahrain’s sick leave law provides employees with up to 55 days of sick leave per year under the Labour Law (Law No. 36 of 2012). The pay rate follows a graduated scale — full pay for the first 15 days, three-quarters pay for the next 20 days, and half pay for the final 20 days. This tiered structure is one of the most commonly referenced sick leave frameworks in the Gulf region.

Key Takeaways

• Employers pay 100% of salary for the first 15 days of illness
• The rate drops to 75% for days 16–35 and 50% for days 36–55
• A medical certificate from a Bahraini health facility is required from day 1
• The maximum statutory sick leave is 55 days per year
• Sick leave cannot be combined with annual leave

Bahrain’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Bahrain’s sick leave system is governed by the Labour Law (Law No. 36 of 2012), Articles 104–108. When an employee falls ill and is certified by a doctor, the employer must pay wages according to a graduated scale over a maximum of 55 days per year.

The entitlement applies after the employee has completed the qualifying period with the employer. The 55-day maximum is strict — if the employee exhausts 55 days, the employer is not obligated to provide additional paid sick leave.

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Days 1–15	100% of salary	Employer
Days 16–35	75% of salary	Employer
Days 36–55	50% of salary	Employer

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Period	Pay Rate	Source
Days 1–15	100% of salary	Labour Law Art. 104
Days 16–35	75% of salary	Labour Law Art. 104
Days 36–55	50% of salary	Labour Law Art. 104
Maximum	55 days per year	Labour Law Art. 104

The salary used for calculation is the employee’s basic salary. Allowances and bonuses may not be included unless the employment contract specifies otherwise.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Bahrain requires a medical certificate from a licensed medical practitioner from the first day of illness. The certificate must be issued by a healthcare facility licensed by the Ministry of Health.

The certificate must specify:

• The date of examination
• The expected duration of the absence
• The diagnosis

The employee must present the certificate to the employer. For absences exceeding 3 days, the certificate must be from a government hospital or licensed private facility.

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Bahrain

Example: An employee earning BHD 600/month is off sick for 45 calendar days.

1. Days 1–15 (full pay): BHD 600
2. Days 16–35 (75%): BHD 600 × 0.75 = BHD 450
3. Days 36–45 (50%): BHD 600 × 0.50 = BHD 300

Total paid: BHD 600 + BHD 450 + BHD 300 = BHD 1,350

The employee’s normal earnings for 45 days would have been BHD 900, so the sick pay covers 150% of normal income over this period (due to the graduated structure front-loading payment).

The Three Tiers Explained

Bahrain’s sick leave system has three distinct tiers:

Tier	Days	Pay Rate	Employee Receives
First tier	1–15	100%	Full salary
Second tier	16–35	75%	Three-quarters salary
Third tier	36–55	50%	Half salary

The graduated scale means the employee’s income decreases with the duration of the absence. This structure encourages a return to work as soon as medically feasible while providing income protection during the acute phase.

The 55-Day Maximum

Bahrain’s 55-day maximum is a strict limit:

• If the employee exhausts 55 days and is still unable to work, the employer is not obligated to provide additional paid sick leave
• The employee may be required to resume work or face disciplinary action
• Unused sick days do not carry over to the next year
• The 55-day limit applies per year of service

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Bahraini employers must:

• Pay sick leave according to the graduated scale
• Verify the medical certificate
• Maintain records for at least 5 years after the employee leaves
• Register employees with the social insurance system (GOSI)
• Comply with the Ministry of Labour requirements

Non-compliance can result in fines from the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and potential labour court proceedings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Bahrain	55 days	100%→75%→50%	Day 1
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

How do the three tiers work in practice?

The three tiers are calculated sequentially. An employee off sick for 45 days receives: full salary for the first 15 days, 75% for days 16–35 (20 days), and 50% for days 36–45 (10 days). The pay rate applies to the entire period within each tier.

Can the employer require a medical certificate from day 1?

Yes. Bahrain requires a medical certificate from the first day of illness. For the first 3 days, the certificate can be from any licensed medical practitioner. For absences exceeding 3 days, it must be from a government hospital or licensed private facility.

What happens after the 55-day maximum?

If the employee exhausts 55 days of sick leave and is still unable to work, the employer is not obligated to provide additional paid sick leave. The employee may be required to resume work or face disciplinary action. In practice, many employers provide additional unpaid leave or extend the employment as a gesture of goodwill.