Know your 'mummy' rights

Next time you have a baby, make sure you know your rights.

According to the Labour Law in the UAE an expecting mother has the right to 45 days of maternity leave with full pay.

However, if the employee has been with the company for less than a year, she is entitled to the same amount of days, but with half pay.

If the employee still feels she needs more time, she is entitled to an extra 100, consecutive or non-consecutive, days provided that she has a medical certificate confirming that she is unable to work.

During the 18 months following the birth of the baby, the employee is entitled to two extra daily breaks, consisting of 30 minutes each. This would not affect the employee's salary.

These breaks can be taken at any time of the day and could even be combined to make an hour every day.

The laws have been established in 1981 and apply to both public and private sectors as well as UAE nationals and expatriates.

— Information Courtesy: Gulf News - Human Resource Department