All you need to know about paternity leave in Dubai
Parenthood is a special blessing. Welcoming your little one into the world and taking care of them is one of life’s most significant moments. In keeping with this sentiment, the UAE government has newly amended laws to extend paid parental leave for male employees in the private sector.
The new decree is expected to be a positive addition to the lives of private-sector employees in the UAE and Dubai, enabling them to extend the care and attention needed in the early days of their child’s lives. Here’s everything you need to know about the recent UAE paternal leaves announcement, which extends to Dubai as well.
NEW DECREE ON PATERNITY LEAVE IN DUBAI
While employees in the public sector received paid paternity leave in the country, there were no regulations with regards to private sector employees. In August 2020, an amendment to the UAE labour laws was approved by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This amendment made UAE the first Arab country to allow paternal leave for those working in the private sector. The rule comes into effect in September 2020 and is aimed at promoting gender equality as part of the UAE’s Vision 2021 agenda.
PATERNITY LEAVE IN UAE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR
According to the newly passed decree, male employees in the UAE’s private sector companies are entitled to receive paid parental leave of five working days. The five days must be taken within the first six months after the child’s birth. The regular weekend breaks are not counted as part of the leave. Women working in the private sector are already eligible for a 45-day fully paid maternity leave period if they have served in their company for at least a year.
PATERNITY LEAVE IN UAE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR
All male employees of the UAE Federal Government are entitled to three days of leaves during the month of the baby’s delivery. Only fathers of babies born in the UAE can get paternity leaves. It is not clear if this new amendment will apply to public sector employees. Further clarification along with an English translation of the law is expected soon. This will bring clarity regarding paid parental leave in Dubai for the public sector as well.
FAQs
CAN MOTHERS APPLY FOR PATERNITY LEAVES IN DUBAI?
According to experts, the text of the amendment makes it clear that paternal leaves would only be for fathers (male employees).
WHEN WILL THE DECREE BE ENFORCED?
A month after the decree has been published in the official gazette, new fathers would be able to use these leaves. The decree was issued on August 25, 2020; however, the date of publishing in the official gazette hasn’t been announced yet.
MY BABY WAS BORN OUTSIDE THE UAE. CAN I STILL GET THESE LEAVES?
As per the current announcement, the baby has to be born in the UAE for the father to use these leaves. However, once the full law and its English translation is made public, we shall have further clarity.
WILL FATHERS OF TWINS OR TRIPLETS GET EXTRA LEAVES?
No, the total number of leaves is limited to five working days even in the case of multiple births.
Maternity leaves in Dubai were introduced to advance the UAE’s move towards greater gender balance and to encourage talented mothers to work. Similarly, the new paternity leave in the UAE law is seen by many as a significant step towards gender equality. This policy will promote family cohesion and allow fathers to create a stronger bond with their children.
This new decree will strengthen the position of the UAE as a country with a positive gender balance. This is in accordance with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Furthermore, the paternity leave policy in Dubai is another step towards the empowerment of workers. The UAE end of service benefits is an important tenet in the government’s bid to ensure labour rights. Limited and unlimited contracts in the UAE have also been defined to ensure that the rights of the employees or employers are not infringed. With the Tasheel service, the government is ensuring that all processes regarding labour are done in an effective and efficient manner.
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