Sharjah mothers granted extended maternity leave

Sharjah has become the first emirate in the UAE to amend the Labour Law, as the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) granted expecting mothers 60 days of extended maternity leave on Saturday, February 8. Previously, this length of time applied only for women working in the public sector. While it is unclear what the provision is for women who have not yet completed one year with a company, it is likely that they will be granted 60 days off at half pay, says Sara Khoja, partner at Clyde & Co.

The SEC also added a provision for expecting fathers, who are now entitled to three days paid leave, whereas the UAE Labour Law makes no mention of paternity leave.

The UAE’s maternity leave laws have been a cause for debate across the nation. According to the Labour Law in all other emirates, expecting mothers in the private sector are entitled to 45 days of paid leave if they have completed a full year with the company and those who have worked for less than a year are granted maternity leave at half pay.

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Sharjah mothers granted extended maternity leave