UAE Maternity Leave Rules: A Complete Guide for Working Mothers

The UAE has established comprehensive maternity leave policies to support working mothers, ensuring they receive the necessary time off for childbirth and recovery. Understanding these rules is crucial for both employees and employers to ensure compliance with labor laws and to foster a supportive work environment.

This blog post provides a detailed overview of UAE maternity leave rules, including eligibility, duration, benefits, and additional considerations for working mothers in both the public and private sectors.

Maternity Leave for Private Sector Employees

Under the UAE Labour Law, private sector employees are entitled to maternity leave as per Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations.

Duration of Maternity Leave

• Female employees in the private sector are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave, which is divided into:
  • 45 days of full-paid leave
  • 15 days of half-paid leave
• In case of complications or health issues, an additional 45 days of unpaid leave can be taken, provided that a medical certificate is submitted as proof.

Maternity Leave for Stillbirths and Miscarriages

• If a miscarriage occurs after the sixth month of pregnancy, the employee is entitled to full maternity leave.
• In the case of stillbirth or death of the newborn, maternity leave remains applicable, giving the mother time to recover.

Extended Leave for Child Health Issues

• If the newborn is sick or has a disability, the mother can take an additional 30 days of leave, fully paid.
• This can be extended by another 30 days of unpaid leave with a medical certificate.

Work Restrictions Post-Maternity Leave

• Upon returning to work, a new mother cannot be forced to work overtime for six months following childbirth.

Maternity Leave for Public Sector Employees

Government employees in the UAE are granted longer maternity leave benefits, which vary based on the emirate.

Federal Government Employees

• Female employees working in federal government entities are entitled to 90 days of paid maternity leave.
• After maternity leave, they can also take an additional 30 days of unpaid leave if needed.
• The government also provides two hours of daily nursing breaks for the first six months after childbirth.

Maternity Leave in Different Emirates

Some emirates have specific maternity leave policies for public sector employees:

• Abu Dhabi Government: 90 days of fully paid leave, plus an option to extend with unpaid leave.
• Dubai Government: 90 days of fully paid leave, plus 30 additional days of unpaid leave.
• Sharjah Government: 120 days of maternity leave (90 paid + 30 unpaid).

Paternity Leave in the UAE

The UAE also grants paternity leave to support working fathers:

• Private sector male employees are entitled to five days of paid paternity leave, which can be taken within six months of the child’s birth.
• Public sector employees may have different paternity leave benefits based on their emirate and employer policies.

Breastfeeding Breaks and Workplace Support

To encourage a mother-friendly work environment, the UAE law includes provisions for breastfeeding breaks:

• New mothers are entitled to two daily breaks of up to 30 minutes for breastfeeding.
• These breaks are fully paid and apply for the first six months after childbirth.
• Employers are required to provide a safe and private space for nursing mothers in the workplace.

Rights and Protection for Pregnant Employees

The UAE Labour Law includes several protective measures for pregnant employees:

• No termination due to pregnancy: Employers cannot dismiss or threaten to dismiss an employee because of her pregnancy or maternity leave.
• No salary deductions: Maternity leave is fully covered as per the law, and employers must pay wages accordingly.
• Overtime exemption: Female employees are exempted from night shifts and overtime work during pregnancy and after childbirth for six months.

Conclusion

The UAE maternity leave rules reflect the country’s commitment to supporting working mothers and ensuring their rights in the workplace. With paid maternity leave, extended leave for health-related issues, breastfeeding breaks, and job security protections, the UAE provides a progressive approach to work-life balance for women.