Being a parent can be an experience of a lifetime. However, it can also be stressful for new mothers, especially working mothers. After the birth of a child, a new mother has to look after her health and the health of her newborn. For this, maternity leave is like a boon.
Recently, maternity leave in Dubai has significantly changed, with the government extending the duration from 45 to 90 days. In this article, we will cover all you need to know about this new change and understand if fathers enjoy paternity leave in the UAE.
The UAE government has extended maternity leave from 45 to 90 days. This is crucial for mothers and newborn babies. This update to the maternity leave policy in the UAE marks a major step forward in supporting working mothers and promoting work-life balance.
Female employees holding permanent positions in the federal government are eligible for 90 days of maternity leave.
You can apply for maternity leave up to 30 days before your expected delivery date. To qualify, you will need to provide a medical certificate from a recognized authority confirming your pregnancy.
If the expat women are employed in a private company, they get maternity leave as per their company policy. For example, most private companies provide 45 days maternity leave for their female employees. However, some companies also have policies that provide fully paid maternity leave for up to 60 days.
In August 2020, the UAE introduced a new policy and became the first Arab nation to offer paid paternity leave. Under this new law, government male employees are entitled to 5 working days of paid paternity leave.
The official five days of paternity leave can be taken within the first six months of the child’s birth. This policy allows fathers to spend quality time with their newborns and support their partners during this crucial period.
However, certain private companies provide male employees with up to 15 to 30 days of paternity leave. In the case of private companies, paternity leave depends on their company policies.
The UAE government has implemented various programs to support Emirati families, particularly new parents. The below information can help you.
The expenses related to raising a child can be numerous, such as buying clothes, paying school fees, enrolling them in extracurricular activities, etc. However, you can save money here by using the Letsgo Payit Card.
With Payit, you can easily manage payments for various educational expenses, including tuition fees, sports academy fees, school supplies, and uniforms. The Letsgo Payit card offers numerous deals from Noon, Clarks, Saramart, etc.
The extension of maternity leave in the UAE from 45 to 90 days supports working mothers. This change, along with the 5-day paternity leave, helps parents bond with their newborns and start a new journey without any work-related stress.