Having a baby can be an amazing experience. However, working mothers should consider maternity Leave in UAE. This provides income and job security for working mothers at a critical stage in their lives. In the United Arab Emirates, maternity leave is a labor right granted only to pregnant women.
In this article, we will analyze maternity leave in the UAE to show you the requirements, exceptions, and benefits. We will also show you who is eligible for maternity leave in UAE and some of the features you can access with this maternity leave in UAE for government employees. Finally, here are some practical tips to help you manage your work and family during this special time.
What Is Maternity Leave In UAE?
Maternity Leave in UAE, also known as paternity leave in UAE, allows an employee to leave the workplace. They can use this time to care for their newborn and themselves. Companies often compensate for this time off to help mothers recover from childbirth and bond with their babies. Therefore, there are several maternity leave guidelines for employers to follow.
Therefore, if you want to have children in the UAE and you are a worker, you should ensure that your rights are respected. This allows you to enjoy the benefits of working in the UAE. However, in terms of leave, UAE labor laws have changed. Therefore, maternity leave is longer compared to that of private sector workers.
Also, employees of UAE authorities are entitled to three months of paid maternity leave from the date of birth. However, you can apply for maternity Leave in UAE up to 30 days before the expected date of birth.
Benefits for Women Under UAE Labour Law
This approach offers several benefits for both mother and child. Research on paid maternity policies shows that these measures contribute to significant reductions in infant mortality. It also helps to improve the overall health of your child. So, for more information on maternity leave benefits in the United Arab Emirates can be found here.
1. Paid Leave
During maternity leave, female employees are entitled to receive full salary for the first 45 days and half pay for the remaining 15 days. This compensation is provided by the company and is not deducted from the employee’s accrued leave balance. This ensures that mothers can focus on their health and well-being without facing financial stress.
2. Additional Leave
The previous labor legislation regulates in Article 30 the cases in which a working mother may need to be absent from work due to health-related complications, allowing 100 additional days of unpaid leave, provided they are requested with the necessary medical certificates.
3. Job Security
Maternity leave in the UAE enables employees to strike a balance between both their private and professional lives.
Also, companies that offer generous maternity leave policies in the UAE tend to be more attractive to job applicants. In other words, it is a company with a high level of employee stability. Employees are much more likely to stay with companies that support them during critical life events.
Besides, all female employees who are able to take maternity leave in the UAE are more likely to return to work with a positive attitude. They also have higher job satisfaction.
4. Nursing rights
As well, on the weekend, female employees are entitled to breastfeeding breaks, provided they comply with the following rules:
- Female employees are entitled to a breastfeeding break of two days for six months from the date of birth. Each break must not exceed 30 minutes. During this period, employees are entitled to their full salary.
- However, the working hours of pregnant women in the UAE will not change unless they are sick or have agreed with the company.
- Also, regardless of the classification of a private company, it must comply with the provisions of the law.
- Therefore, since there are many benefits a company has to offer its employees, it is important to know the true cost of being an employee.
5. Access to daycare facilities
It is a common challenge faced by working mothers around the world to balance work and family responsibilities, and the UAE is no exception. Long working hours and a demanding work culture can make it difficult for mothers to find a healthy work-life balance.
That is why, maternity leave in UAE companies offer flexible working arrangements, such as part-time or telecommuting, to access the needs of new mothers and facilitate their re-entry into the labor market.
How many days maternity leave in UAE for private sector
Women working in the private sector in the UAE are also entitled to maternity Leave in UAE. However, the period of parental leave in the private sector is different from that in the public sector. Also, according to the new maternity leave in UAE labor law, pregnant women in the private sector have the following entitlements:
The 60 days of maternity leave is divided as follows:
- 45 days paid maternity leave.
- Extended leave of 15 days with partial pay.
If supporting documents are submitted, an additional 45 days of unpay leave is granted if the mother or child becomes ill. Mothers of children with disabilities receive an additional 30 days of paid leave. You can extend it for 90 days of maternity leave for the private sector without pay.
Maternity leave in the UAE includes time before and after birth. In addition to maternity leave, women working in the private sector are entitled to breastfeeding leave twice a day for 18 months from the date of birth.
Breastfeeding breaks should not exceed 30 minutes at a time. During this period, women were entitled to their full salary. UAE labor law allows men working in the private sector to take five days of paternity leave. In the UAE, parental leave can be taken at any time up to 6 months after the birth.
See More: What Is Emergency Leave In UAE As Per Labour Law
Eligibility Criteria For Maternity Leaves
To be eligible for maternity leave in the UAE, an employee must have worked continuously for at least one year in the company. Even if employees have not worked for one year, they are entitled to take unpaid leave to care for their children.
1. Employment Status
The worker must be in a formal employment relationship with an employer. This means that she must be employed by a legally registered company or entity.
In many countries, the worker must meet certain minimum terms of employment before she is eligible for maternity leave. For example, she must have worked for a specified period (e.g., 6 months or 1 year) before the expected date of childbirth.
2. Pregnancy Proof
Generally, to be eligible for maternity leave, the worker must have a confirmed pregnancy. This is verified by a medical certificate or pregnancy test.
3. Notification
The worker generally must notify her employer of her pregnancy and her intention to take maternity leave. This is done in advance so that the employer can make the necessary arrangements.
Duration of Maternity Leaves in the UAE
If you want to know how long is maternity leave in UAE, female employees are entitled to 45 days of maternity leave and an additional 15 days of pay leave. If an employee has difficulties at work, he/she may choose to take an additional 15 days of paid leave. Employees may start maternity leave up to 30 days before the expected date of birth.
If the child is sick or disabled, the mother is entitled to 30 days of paid leave and another 30 days of unpay leave. Only a medical certificate from an accredited medical institution is required.
In 2019, the UAE Cabinet introduced reforms to the labor legislation. Through this reform, maternity leave is extended from 45 days to 90 days. This also includes unpaid or combined leave, including annual leave or sick leave. The latest UAE labor laws apply to all UAE women workers employed in the government or private sector.
Legal Protections and Rights for Pregnant Employees
- The maternity test will be counted only if medical reports and health certificates are submitted.
- According to the UAE embassy enforcement data, it has been mandatory to apply a pension system for mothers during the 45-day period.
- A health report of the newborn is required to check whether the newborn is alive or dead.
- If some female employees enroll in their position during the employee’s maternity leave, then they can only work during that time until the employee returns from her maternity duration.
- If the woman appeals the maternity leave, the company cannot oppose or cancel the employee’s candidacy.
- No hiring and no formalities can be carried out.
- Female employees are allowed to take initial leave and private leave.
- Only present the original of the health copy records to the maternal period to the company’s companies.
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If you would like to engage our services, we invite you to contact us now. Or, if you would like to learn about maternity leave for unmarried women in UAE, maternity leave in UAE during the probation period, and other topics of interest, we invite you to visit our insights section now.
