Teen Summer Jobs in Israel: What the Law Requires

Many teenagers take their first summer jobs in places like ice cream shops, stores, camps, restaurants, packing jobs, light delivery work, or family businesses, but Israeli law treats them as regular employees even if the job lasts only a few weeks. The article warns that employers sometimes use casual language such as “it’s only for the summer” or “we’ll pay cash at the end,” and that young workers often do not know their rights.

Teenagers may work from age 14 during the summer, but at that age only light jobs are allowed. The rules are stricter during the school year, and not every shift or job is legal for every age. The article says minimum wage for minors is set by law and cannot be waived, even for a first job, no experience, or if the teen agrees to less. From April 2026, the hourly minimum is 26.07 shekels under age 16, 27.94 shekels for ages 16 to 17, and 30.92 shekels for ages 17 to 18.

A common mistake is treating a “trial day” or “training” as unpaid, but if a teen is working, receiving instructions, helping others, or being available to the employer, that time counts as work and must be paid at least minimum wage. The article advises checking pay in advance, how hours are recorded, when payment is made, and whether a pay slip will be issued.

There are also limits on working hours. In general, teens may not work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week, though in some five-day workplaces 16 to 18 year olds may work up to nine hours a day as long as the weekly limit is not exceeded. Employers must also follow rules on breaks, travel expenses, and night work, which has special restrictions and, in some cases, requires transportation home. The article says parents and teens should also ask whether the workplace is safe, whether an adult supervisor is present, and who to contact if there is a problem.