UAE Lawmakers Push to Extend Paid Maternity Leave to 98 Days

UAE lawmakers are once again calling for longer paid maternity leave, with a proposal to extend it to at least 98 days for federal government employees. The discussion came up during a Federal National Council (FNC) session focused on family protection, work-life balance, and social stability.

Minister of Family Sana bint Mohammed Suhail attended the session, where members pushed for policies that better reflect modern family life in the UAE.

Why 98 Days Is Back on the Table

FNC members said extending paid maternity leave would bring the UAE closer to global standards and give working mothers more breathing room after childbirth.

They also stressed that family-friendly policies should go beyond leave days, calling for clearer national rules on flexible and remote work. Members said flexibility should be built into policy, not left to individual managers or employers to decide.

The focus was on parents with young children, caregivers of elderly family members, and families of people of determination.

Lawmakers Say Family Support Should Include Men Too

One of the standout moments in the session came when a female member questioned why family empowerment discussions mostly focus on women.

She argued that fathers, widowers, and men who lead households are often overlooked in government support programs. While widows receive assistance, she asked why widowers are rarely mentioned, pointing out that men can also face loss, caregiving pressure, and even domestic abuse.

The minister agreed, saying future family programs should support all members of the household, not just one group.

Calls to Update Domestic Abuse and Counselling Laws

Members also urged changes to domestic abuse laws, including stricter rules for repeat offenders and stronger protections for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people of determination.

There were also calls to move family counselling and guidance centres out of the courts and into the Ministry of Family. Lawmakers said court-based centres can discourage families from seeking help early and make counselling feel more like a legal battle than support.

Support During Loss and Major Life Changes

The session also touched on support for families during major life transitions. Proposals included a fast-tracked federal bereavement allowance for widows, guaranteed housing rights after a spouse’s death, and better protection for women who divorce later in life and lose housing after child custody ends.

The minister said the government is reviewing these recommendations and studying local models that could be expanded nationwide.