90-day maternity leave for Emirati mothers in private sector announced

The Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (SSA) has announced details of the Maternity Leave Support for Women in Private Sector Initiative, which aims to increase paid maternity leave for Emirati mothers working in the private sector to 90 days.

The initiative, implemented as part of the recently launched Emirati Family Growth Support Programme by the Department of Community Development in ​​Abu Dhabi (DCD), allows Emirati mothers who work in the private sector to apply for a financial support complementary to their salary during their paid maternity leave of up to 90 days, after obtaining the approval of their private-sector employer.

Her Excellency Dr. Bushra Al Mulla, Director General of SSA, said: “The initiative to support maternity leave for women in the private sector demonstrates the Abu Dhabi government’s commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for newborns. This effort promotes social and family cohesion, ensuring that infants receive the care and support they need for healthy growth and development within their families and communities.

"By enhancing family stability, we are implementing best practices and standards in the social sector, ensuring the well-being of mothers and their newborns, which will positively impact the overall quality of family life.”

The new service is available to Emirati mothers working in the private sector who have a family book issued in Abu Dhabi and have obtained a no-objection certificate from their employer.

Individuals must apply for the service within the first 30 days of the baby’s delivery and the child’s birth date must be on or after September 1, 2024.

Further details will be announced next month.