Like many other governments, the UAE government has implemented maternity leave policies. These policies provide new moms with time to recover after childbirth, bond with their infants, and adjust to their new roles as mothers. It is imperative to provide maternity leave to workers to protect the health and welfare of new mothers and their babies, as well as the family unit.

UAE govt. mandated maternity leave is a legal benefit for employees. It ensures working mothers have income and job security during this significant life stage. This handbook contains all the information employers need to know about maternity leave in the United Arab Emirates.

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Maternity Leave in UAE

What is maternity leave?

Maternity leave, also known as pregnancy leave or maternity leave, provides female employees with time off from work. They can use this time to care for both their newborn and themselves. Typically, employers compensate for this leave, aiming to allow mothers to recover from childbirth and bond with their children.

An overview of the maternity leave in UAE rules and regulations

Legal Framework

It is required that female employees have the right to maternity leave under UAE Federal Law No. 8 of 1980, which is commonly referred to as the UAE Labour Law. All female employees in the United Arab Emirates are subject to this rule, including those with fixed-term contracts, part-timers, and those in free zones.

Duration Of Maternity Leave in UAE

According to the UAE Labour Law, female workers are entitled to 45 days of paid maternity leave plus an extra 15 days of paid leave. Should the female employee experience a difficult birth, she might be eligible for an extra fifteen days of paid leave. It is possible for working women to start their maternity leave up to 30 days before the due date.

If the child is ill or disabled, the mother can receive an extra thirty days of paid leave and an additional thirty days of unpaid leave. She only needs to provide a medical certificate from an accredited medical authority.

In 2019, the UAE Cabinet enacted a labor law reform. This reform extended maternity leave from 45 days to 90 days. It accounted for unpaid or combined leave, including yearly or sick leave.

The recently passed UAE Labour Law covers all female employees in the UAE, irrespective of whether they work in the government or the private sector.

Eligibility Criteria

In the United Arab Emirates, female employees must have worked continuously for their employer for a minimum of a year to be eligible for maternity leave. A female employee may still be eligible for unpaid maternity leave even if she hasn’t worked for a full year.

Compensation for Maternity Leave

Female employees receive full pay for the first 45 days of maternity leave. For the final 15 days, they are entitled to half-pay. The company covers this payment, which is separate from the worker’s remaining leave balance. This guarantees that moms won’t have to worry about money and can concentrate on their health and well-being.

If pregnancy-related difficulties or diseases prevent female employees from returning to work, they can receive extended leaves in addition to the usual maternity leave. This extra leave is fully paid and can last up to 45 days.

If the child has a premature birth or has a medical condition, the mother gets an extra 30 days of fully paid-leave. Additionally, she can take up to 30 days of unpaid leave.

Latest UAE Maternity Leave Law Amendments

Recently, the UAE government enhanced maternity leave laws and increased support for expectant mothers. These improvements involve significant changes to the Labour Law. Among these modifications are:

Considering additional leave choices, the length of maternity leave has been increased from 45 days to up to 90 days in 2019.
In 2020, the UAE became the first Arab nation to introduce paternity leave. Private sector workers, regardless of gender, receive five days of paid leave following the birth of a child.
Enhanced leave for childcare and problems is also available. Authorities have strengthened the regulations regarding additional time off for childcare and pregnancy-related issues.

Using Elate HRMS to Handle Leaves in UAE

The seamless implementation of maternity leave and the preservation of expectant mothers’ rights are largely dependent on employers. A smooth and helpful transition into parenting is something that expecting moms deserve when ushering a new baby into the world.

Penieltech’s Elate HRMS, the leading HR and payroll software in the Middle East, empowers businesses to efficiently manage employee breaks, including maternity leave. This streamlined process reduces stress for both employers and workers.

Employees can easily submit leave requests through the user-friendly interface of Elate HRMS Software. They need to specify the type of leave, the requested dates, and any other pertinent details. The system automatically checks remaining leave balances and detects any conflicts or overlaps to ensure a smooth and efficient process.

Employers and managers may simply manage their team’s leave schedules, receive real-time notifications, and review and approve leave requests directly from the Elate HRMS Software platform. This optimized approach decreases the administrative load and eliminates the need for manual calculations.

Elate HRMS: Your HR Partner

Enhance employee engagement and streamline HR operations with our user-friendly HRMS.

Elate HRMS offers an all-inclusive leave management system. It helps businesses support staff members during significant life transitions such as maternity leave. Employers and employees benefit from a seamless and stress-free leave management process. This is facilitated by the intuitive interface, effective workflows, and integrated payroll management of Elate payroll software.

Contact Penieltech today for a free demo and business consultation.