×
Рус Eng
Рус Eng
Calculate the cost
of opening a company
Contacts
Write to WhatsApp

Maternity leave in the UAE

Maternity leave in the UAE - Makebiz

The United Arab Emirates is a country that is rapidly developing in all areas, from the economy to the social sphere. Special attention is paid to the protection of women’s rights, and maternity leave is a prime example of this concern. 

Pregnancy and motherhood are important stages in a woman’s life, and in the UAE, the government is committed to providing a comfortable environment for working mothers to enjoy this period without compromising their career and financial well-being. 

Maternity leave is governed by Article 53 of the Federal Law 11 of 2008 on Labour. This law not only sets the rules, but also demonstrates the region’s commitment to fairness and care for working women. 

Conditions and duration of maternity leave 

Public sector: 

  • 60 days of paid maternity leave.  This period is granted after childbirth and allows women to recover, breastfeed and adapt to motherhood.
  • An additional 2 hours of daily paid maternity break is available for 4 months after returning to work. This allows mothers to breastfeed or care for their baby.

Private Sector: 

  • 45 days of paid maternity leave.  The period can be increased to 60 days at the employer’s discretion. 
  • An additional 2 hours of daily paid maternity break is available at the employer’s discretion.
  • An additional 45 days of unpaid leave is available in the event of illness of the mother or newborn, subject to documentation.
  • Fully paid 30 days are provided for mothers who have children with disabilities, with an option to extend for 30 days without pay.

 It is worth noting that there are 3 days off for fathers. They are granted to men working in the public sector after the birth of a baby. In the private sector, the decision depends on the employer. Application is made in the month of delivery and the birth of the child must be registered in the UAE. 

Maternity leave plays an important role in supporting working women and creating a favourable environment for motherhood. It allows them to recover from childbirth and return to work without losing their qualifications and experience. This is an important step in building a stable and prosperous society. 

Let’s highlight the basic requirements:

  • To take paid maternity leave, a woman must be officially employed by a company and have worked there for at least a year. If the length of service is less than a year, leave is granted, but without payment. 
  • To confirm your status, you must provide your employer with a medical certificate of pregnancy. 
  • Notify the employer of your status in advance so that the company can prepare for the employee’s absence. 
  • Pregnant employees are protected from dismissal due to pregnancy, but the employer may dismiss them on other grounds described in the labour law or transfer them to another branch.

UAE law has been updated to include foster mothers in the rules regarding maternity leave. Employers are giving working mothers who have adopted children under the age of 5 45 days off. The move is aimed at encouraging adoption in society and creating a level playing field for all families.

Payments depend on a number of factors such as working conditions, length of service of the employee and employment status. The money is paid into the employee’s bank account, with the total amount based on normal working hours and usually remains stable during the maternity period. Many companies may provide additional compensation or benefits to working mothers during maternity leave, allowing them to enjoy motherhood without the financial and professional risks.

The opportunity to take maternity leave is an important step in ensuring gender equality and caring for the health and well-being of female employees. The Emirati Government has demonstrated its commitment to creating a comfortable and fair working environment for all citizens. It is constantly working to improve legislation to provide working mothers with financial support and protection from dismissal.

Maternity leave in the UAE is not just a right, but an important part of social policy that aims to improve the quality of life of women and create a favourable environment for motherhood. This policy demonstrates concern for the future generation and reinforces the UAE’s position as a country that strives for progress and prosperity in all spheres of life.

Read other articles on this topic:

Back

BUSINESS SERVICES
SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS
INFORMATION COOPERATION
Copyright © Makebiz. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
Calculate the cost of opening a company in the UAE