DUBAI // Working mums who
bemoan a lack of maternity leave could see positive changes after a committee
was set up to review and support the role of women in the workplace.
The committee, established on
the direction of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s
Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of
the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, will review the UAE’s
Maternity Law to provide women with a supportive work environment.
Federal law currently states
that mothers who have been working for a company for less than a year will
receive half their monthly pay if they take 45 days of maternity leave. The
committee will also set up the Gender Balance Index to enhance the role of
women and promote gender equality by encouraging female participation in the
UAE’s economic development.
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who directed the committee’s establishment, said a
review of maternity law would create a better environment for working women.
"The UAE Gender Balance
Council will take the necessary steps to ensure men and women have equal
opportunities to participate in the development of the UAE," she said.
"We want to achieve the
country’s vision in terms of gender balance on a local, regional and global
level."
Some independent companies
operating in Dubai have introduced special terms for mothers wishing to return
to work. They include extended maternity leave that may not be remunerated.
The Dubai International
Financial Centre free zone offers female professionals 65 days of maternity
leave. Thirty-three days are fully remunerated, while 32 days are on a half-pay
basis.
The UAE Gender Balance Council
was set up to reduce the gender gap across all government sectors.
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