Abu Dhabi’s new labour law will benefit working Emirati women by introducing the provision of paid maternity leave of 90 days with effect from September 1, 2024, applicable only to the private sector. This landmark decision is part of the Emirati Family Growth Support Programme, chaired by the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority and the Department of Community Development, to make the private sector employment for Emiratis more attractive.
Formerly, employed women were eligible for 90 days of paid maternity leave in the public services; and about 45 days as required in most private institutions. New this policy, however, opened the private sector opportunity to match the benefits of the public sector and can attract more Emiratis outside of government jobs.
Also, while the extension of the maternity leave is also optional for private employers, the purpose of the change is to create a more conducive environment for families throughout the process of child birth and especially for the female employee as well as her family. Dr. Bushra Al Mulla Director General of the Social Support Authority expressed the government’s focused on providing adequate care for newborns in a healthy environment hence fostering social and family cohesiveness. “Thus, by improving the stability of families, we are making successful practices and standards within the sphere of the social domain, as well as the health of women with children and neonates, and the quality of the family lives of those families,” Dr. Al Mulla said.
As for the long-term parental leave, it should be noted that the application to it is to be submitted no later than within one month from the birth of a child. These documents include family book in its original for Emirati and Original salary certificate, bank statement, no objection certificate from the employer.
It is part of the Nafis program, a comprehensive Emiratisation programme launched in September 2021 as Abu Dhabi’s flaghip. The program has positively impacted in the employement of Emiratis as more than 113000 citizens have been taken by companies. The government seeks to ensure that Emiratis occupy 10 per cent of the skilled private sector employment by December 2026.
Employment specialist Claire Donnelly applauded the move as a good one, and can only hope that actions of this sort will be applied to all nationalities working on the island.
