Sharjah: A civil service law has been amended to grant fully paid maternity leave of two months to working women.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued Law No 1 for 2011, amending Law No 5 for 2001 on civil service and its amendments thereof.
As per the new law, Article 68 in law No 5 for 2001 is to be replaced by the following text: "A working woman is entitled to a fully-paid maternity leave of 60 days. She has the right to take her maternity leave two weeks ahead of the due date upon a medical report attested by a specialised doctor."
The new law adds that during the first year following the delivery, the working woman who fosters her child has the right to have a daily break of two hours in the first six months, and one hour in the second six months for the purpose of nursing her child.
She will be permitted to extend her annual maternity leave for a maximum of 100 days, yet without pay, starting from the beginning of the maternity leave.
Fathers' rights
The law adds that a male employee who has a new born baby is entitled to a paternity leave of three consecutive days during the first month of the child's birth.
The law takes effect from the date of its issuance and is to be published in the official gazette.
