A new proposal could mean longer paid maternity leave for women working in the UAE public sector. The Federal National Council (FNC) has recommended extending maternity leave to at least 98 fully paid days, bringing it closer to global best practices and giving new mums more time to focus on their families without financial stress. keep reading for all the details you need to know.
Also read: WhatsApp To Soon Have A Kids’ App – Here’s How Parental Controls Will Work
Why This Change Matters
The recommendation came up during discussions around the Family Protection and the Concept of the Family Unit report, with Minister of Family Affairs Sana bint Mohammed Suhail present. The main goal? To help Emirati mothers balance work life with family life, without having to choose one over the other.
More Flexibility For Working Parents
Alongside longer maternity leave, the FNC also highlighted the need for flexible and remote working options. They suggested creating a clear system that shows which jobs are suitable for flexible or remote work and setting timelines for how quickly requests should be handled.
These flexible work options were strongly recommended for priority groups, including:
- Mothers with children under 12
- Caregivers of elderly family members
- People of determination
The Council also called for these arrangements to be mandatory in both public and private sectors, not just optional.
Stronger Protection For Families
Family safety was another big focus. The FNC proposed updates to Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 on Protection from Domestic Violence. These changes include:
- Mandatory psychological and behavioural checks before any reconciliation
- No settlements allowed in repeated abuse cases
- Extra protection when victims are children, pregnant women, elderly people, or persons of determination
They also stressed the importance of better awareness programmes and improving the Family Protection Guide to include proper after-care and rehabilitation for victims.
Extra Support For New Mothers
Other recommendations focused directly on maternity care, such as:
- Allowing maternity leave to be split after childbirth, especially for premature babies
- Enforcing the rule that requires nurseries in institutions that still don’t have them
- Creating fairness between private and public sector working women
To do this, the Council suggested a national incentive programme that rewards companies offering family-friendly workplaces. This could include tax benefits, lower fees, priority in government contracts, and official recognition.
How Maternity Leave Currently Works in the UAE
Maternity leave rules in the UAE depend on whether you work in the government or private sector.
Government Sector (Federal Human Resources Law)
Female government employees currently receive:
- 90 days of maternity leave on full pay, starting from the date of delivery
- Two paid breastfeeding hours per day for six months after childbirth
Special cases include:
- 60 days of leave after a miscarriage that happens after the 24th week
- Maternity leave is allowed even during probation
Private Sector (Federal Labour Law)
Women working in the private sector are entitled to:
- 60 days of maternity leave (45 days on full pay, 15 days on half pay)
- Up to one hour of paid breastfeeding breaks per day for six months
Special cases include:
- 30 days on full pay, plus 30 days unpaid, if the baby is sick or a child of determination and needs continuous care, with a medical report
Extra Help For Emirati Mothers In Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi offers added support for Emirati women working in the private sector. Through the Department of Community Development, eligible mothers can receive financial support to ensure up to 90 days of paid maternity leave. This service is handled by the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority.
If approved, the proposed 98 days of paid maternity leave could be a major win for working mothers in the UAE. Combined with flexible work options and stronger family protection laws, it’s a clear sign that family wellbeing is becoming a bigger priority nationwide.
