Ask Gulf News: How long is maternity leave in the UAE?

Dubai: Maternity leave in the UAE is governed by the UAE Labour Law and provides working mothers with paid leave, additional support in case of medical complications, and protections after returning to work.

Here is a clear breakdown of what female employees in the UAE are entitled to, including paid leave, unpaid extensions, nursing breaks, and parental leave.

How long is maternity leave in the UAE?

A female employee in the UAE is entitled to 60 days of maternity leave in total. This leave is divided into two parts:

• 45 days of fully paid leave

• 15 days of half-paid leave

This maternity leave can be applied for up to 30 days before the expected date of delivery, allowing employees to plan their time off in advance.

Can maternity leave be extended?

In certain medical circumstances, maternity leave can be extended beyond the initial 60 days.

If a female employee experiences an illness related to pregnancy or childbirth and is unable to return to work, she may take an additional 45 days of unpaid leave. This extension can be taken either consecutively or intermittently, depending on the employee’s medical needs.

To qualify, the illness must be supported by a medical certificate issued by a recognised medical authority.

What happens if the baby is sick or has a disability?

If a newborn is ill or has a disability, the law provides further protection for working mothers.

In such cases, the female employee is entitled to:

• An additional 30 days of fully paid leave

• The option to extend this by another 30 days of unpaid leave

As with other extensions, the child’s illness or disability must be confirmed through an official medical certificate issued by the relevant medical authority.

Nursing breaks after returning to work

Once a mother returns to work, she is entitled to one or two additional breaks each working day to nurse her child.

• The total duration of these breaks must not exceed one hour per day

• These breaks are available for six months from the date of delivery

• Nursing breaks are fully paid and are counted as part of working hours

This provision aims to support new mothers as they transition back into the workplace.

Maternity leave in the event of stillbirth or newborn death

If a female employee has been pregnant for at least six months and experiences a stillbirth, or if her newborn passes away after birth, she remains entitled to full maternity leave and full pay.

This provision ensures that employees are not financially penalised during an already difficult period.

Sick leave during pregnancy

Pregnant employees who experience health complications before giving birth may take sick leave, provided they meet the usual eligibility requirements. This applies even if the illness is pregnancy-related, offering an additional layer of protection beyond maternity leave.

Parental leave for both parents

In addition to maternity leave, employees in the private sector are entitled to five working days of paid parental leave.

• Parental leave can be taken from the day of the child’s birth up to six months

• It is available to both the mother and the father

• The leave is fully paid

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