The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced the details of Federal Decree Law No. 47 of 2021 regarding the unified general rules for work in the UAE. Public and private sectors in the country are now entitled to the same types of leave starting 2 February 2022. The new provisions aim to unify the public and private sectors to improve the country’s position to have a sustainable and competitive labour market by giving the same leave benefits to all the employees across country.
Under the new provisions, employees can now obtain the following leaves:
- Annual leaves:Full-time employees are entitled to a 30-day annual leave each year. An employee is entitled for a 2-day paid leave every month upon completion of 6 months of employment.
- Maternity leave: 60 days maternity leave can be obtained, including 45 days paid in full, with an additional 15 days at half pay. New mothers are entitled to one hour a day for breastfeeding for six months from giving birth after going back to work. Employees can choose to combine their maternity leave with any other approved holiday. Employers cannot terminate an employee for taking maternity leave.
- Paternity leave:A five-day paternity leave can be obtained to be used consecutively or throughout the first six months of the child’s birth.
- Mourning leave: Employees are entitled 5 days off upon the death of a spouse and 3 days off upon the death of an immediate family member.
- Sick leave:Employees are eligible to at least 90 days of sick leave per year, including 15 paid days, 30 days at half pay and the remaining period unpaid.
- Study leave: Employees enrolled in an UAE-accredited educational institution or university inside or outside the country are entitled to 10 days off a year for exams.