Dubai govt staff to get 3-month maternity leave

Dubai - The maternity leave can be combined with regular leave or unpaid leave, but for a maximum period of 120 days.

Women workers in the public sector on Wednesday welcomed the latest amendments introduced to the maternity rules which entitle them to a mandatory three-month leave.

According to Wam news agency, Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved three-month paid maternity leave for Dubai government employees effective March 1. The maternity leave can be combined with regular leave or unpaid leave, but for a maximum period of 120 days.

The time for breastfeeding has been extended from one to two hours a day, effective from the day of delivery for a full year. These paid hours, to be reduced to one hour during the holy month of Ramadan, can be availed in the beginning or at the end of the daily working hours.

In the case of abortion or giving birth to a stillborn, the working woman shall be entitled to sick leave based on a report officially attested by a medical committee. The mother of a special needs baby shall be given fully paid leave, the period of which will be determined by the official medical committee as per the baby's condition.

Azza Sayed Atwa, an Egyptian secretary, told Khaleej Times that the amendment introduced to the maternity leave is timely and will hopefully attract more women to the labour market. "However, some employers may opt to recruit more men instead."

Zainab Faruq Ahmed, a Syrian nurse, said the decision will enhance women's position in the labour market. "It will set a much-needed balance between women's career and family responsibilities."

Wafa Al Wakeel, an English teacher with a private school here, said she hoped the private sector will implement the same. "I am due to give birth to my baby boy next month, and wish to enjoy a three-month paid leave instead of the current 45 days."

Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), has formed a national committee that reviewed the UAE Maternity Law last year.

The move was aimed at supporting working women and providing them with a convenient work environment and equal treatment.

Earlier, working mothers in the public sector were entitled to only two-month maternity leave against 45 days for those working in the private sector.

The emirates of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah recently revised their laws to give pregnant working mothers an extended leave with full pay.

The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in September 2016 issued a law giving government employees in Abu Dhabi a three-month paid maternity leave, and a three-day paternity leave. Emirati working women were also given the right to sign out two hours earlier for one year from the day of giving birth.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammead Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, also issued a decree in November 2016 whereby the maternity leave in the emiorate was extended to 120 days; including 90 paid and 30 unpaid days.

Last year, some private companies, including the Omnicom Media Group Middle East and North Africa, announced that they had plans to extend maternity leave to 90 days.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtims.com

• Dubai