UAE first Arab country to grant paternal leave to private sector employees

The UAE will become the first Arab country to grant mandatory paternal leave to private sector employees.

The unprecedented move follows amendments to the Labour law, approved by the UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, granting male employees in the private sector paid leave to care for their child.

Private companies are mandated to give their male staff paid paternal leave for a period of five working days, within six months from the birth of their child.

يتضمن القرار منح العامل إجازة والديه مدفوعة الأجر لمدة 5 أيام عمل لرعاية طفله، تستحق من تاريخ ولادة الطفل وحتى إكماله 6 أشهر، لتكون #الإمارات أول دولة عربية تمنح مثل هذه الإجازة في القطاع الخاص#uaegov

— UAEGov (@uaegov) August 30, 2020

The directive attempts to cement family cohesion and stability, bolster the country’s stand and competitiveness in the field of gender balance and encourage people to seek employment opportunities in the private sector, official news agency WAM reported.

The paid paternal leave is the latest benefit for employees in the private sector.