Short maternity leave pressures women
I agree that 45 days for maternity leave is quite less (‘Maternity leave in UAE among lowest in world’, Gulf News, April 28). I remember that it felt too early for me to resume work when I had a baby, because my son used to cry a lot despite being with a babysitter. After five months, I had to leave him in India with my mother-in-law, as my husband at that time was unable to sponsor him. I didn’t dare have another child due to the fear of my child growing up with a babysitter. No one helped me and, as a parent, I suffered from the pain of staying far from my child for three and a half years. Some rules really need to be looked into. Working mothers should be supported by employers through the authorities and they must facilitate them with paid leave until the required time. They can ensure that no mother stays away from their newborn baby for at least the period of time required for visa processing.
From Ms Heena Chander Hariramani, Dubai
Facebook comment
Make it easier for mothers at work
It is extremely necessary to consider extending maternity leave, considering the importance of it to both the mother and newborn baby. I know of mothers who used breast-feeding devices to store breast milk for their newborns while at work, mostly in the US, Lebanon and a few Asian and European countries. Considering the conservative values in this region, this practice is often not appreciated or welcomed by many women. I have witnessed women leaving their jobs for this reason. A positive consideration by the authorities in this regard will surely ease the pressure on married women in the workplace.
From Mr Habeeb Hassan
UAE
Website comment
Help ease the stress
I do hope the authorities consider increasing maternity leave as soon as possible, so that women who are currently pregnant can benefit from it too. Moreover, it will ease a lot of mental stress that goes along with the lack of sleep and fatigue experienced by mothers during this time.
From Ms Gayle, UAE
Website comment
No extension necessary
My mother’s maternity leave lasted one week. I didn’t feel deprived as a result, nor did I feel disconnected with my mother. I was breast-fed until I could eat semi-solid foods. People talk about maternity leave for 45 days, nine months or a year — it’s all just hype. It’s time to get real.
From Mr Malcolm Ward, Dubai
Facebook comment
Steps need to be taken
Thank you for bringing up this issue. Yes, maternity leave is extremely short in the UAE. We request that the necessary steps be taken to grant more maternity leave. I hope in the future, mothers and newborn babies can get these benefits!
From Ms Julie, UAE
Website comment
Grant more options
The maternity leave in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is 45 days long and that is not enough for a mother to recover physically or psychologically, in my opinion. The baby needs to create a bond with his/her mother as well. At least workplaces should give the opportunity to extend maternity leave for 60 more days, even if it is without pay. I am sure most of the mothers will prefer to stay with their babies during this time.
From Ms Vania Santos, UAE
Website comment
Women choose children over jobs
The sad fact is that many newborn babies are forced to move to formulaic food because their mothers have to head back to work. In 45 days, the baby may not even be 45 days older, since the leave often starts from before the delivery date. Even some private medical institutions, which advocate and run campaigns on breast-feeding, force their staff to be back on duty in 45 days without any mercy. The breast-feeding hours, as per the law, is one hour, which could be granted together or split into 30-minute breaks. This never helps the baby, since most people can’t go home and feed their baby in this short period of time. Many working mothers cannot leave their jobs due to financial compulsions and some decide to leave their job altogether and return to their home country because without two people working, middle-income earners cannot afford a good standard of living.
From Mr Vinod, UAE
Website comment
Unfair on employers
If women took unpaid leave, I am sure employers would give them extra time off. Women can’t expect employers to pay a salary twice: one for the person who has to replaced (the mother) and one for the mother to take paid maternity leave. You can’t reasonably expect the employer to take responsibility for the woman choosing to have a family. I want a choice, too. As the article said, in most countries, maternity pay is divided among the employer, the government and the insurance company. This arrangement enables employers to manage maternity leave requirements without going through financial distress.
From Ms Kelly, UAE
Website comment
Compromise in pay
It’s not enough. There needs to be an increase in the number of days and the provision of compensation with basic salary. Companies should at least give half of the basic salary and increase the number of days off. For sure, women need to take care and breast-feed their baby — that’s more important to her than her salary.
From Mr M. Farhad, UAE
Website comment
Consequence of a choice
Motherhood is a choice. So, if you decided to have a baby, then the sacrifices that come along with it have to be accepted!
From Ms Jaria Joy, UAE
Facebook comment
Baby care is expensive
I know of many parents who are leaving two-month and three-month-old babies with their parents or in-laws in their home countries. That is the time that the children need their parents most. Children are losing the opportunity of getting breast-fed, which is very important for their immunity. It’s so costly to sponsor a maid or keep the child with a babysitter. I think that at least there should be three to six months of maternity leave.
From Ms Sangeetha Sudeep, Dubai
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