Women applaud parental leave law in Abu Dhabi

Dubai - The new human resources law - which was issued on Wednesday by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan - also gives new mothers the right to leave two hours early every day to take care of their babies, for one year from the date of delivery.

Women all over the UAE are applauding Abu Dhabi's move to give a three-day paternity leave and three-months' paid maternity leave to Emirati government employees, and have expressed hope that the move will be replicated across the country.
New law: New maternity rules issued in Abu Dhabi
The new human resources law - which was issued on Wednesday by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan - also gives new mothers the right to leave two hours early every day to take care of their babies, for one year from the date of delivery.
"Having children is the most important part of any woman's life, but sometimes it's very difficult to raise the kid if the mother is working," noted Emirati banker Munira Yousuf Al Balooshi. "I am really happy that the Abu Dhabi government has taken the initiative to increase the leaves."
"I'm waiting for Dubai to also include the leaves in their policies," she added.
Al Balooshi's thoughts were echoed by Lebanese expat Manal Ali Nasser, who said that Dubai authorities "should follow this rule in Dubai too, so that "men can also take care of their newborn babies."
Indian IT professional Arti Barua, said: "It's a good move and the government should look at extending the same for expats as well."
Dr. Eshrak Moaz Ahmed Al-Attar, specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology at Abu Dhabi's Medeor 24x7 Hospital, said it is a very important step. "We needed something like this. I have received good comments from many of my friends regarding the same," Al-Attar said. "Among the short term benefits, the new law will encourage more women to have children and improve the situation of both mothers and babies."
"New moms will be able to take better care of and bond more with the child," she added. "Long term benefits include an increase in population and stable children whose primary caretakers are their mothers."
It's not the women who are elated - men also applauded the move. Salim Nattika, a customer care executive at LLH Hospital in Abu Dhabi, for example, congratulated the UAE's government for "bringing positive changes to society."
"Undoubtedly, the new rule will benefit many families, and both parents," he added.
ankita@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi