New Dubai law lets officers take breastfeeding breaks

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New Dubai law lets officers take breastfeeding breaks

Dubai - The breastfeeding break starts from the child's birth and continues for one year.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Thu 2 Nov 2017, 6:33 PM

A new law issued in Dubai prescribes a 90-day maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks for female officers of the police, civil defence and immigration departments. According to the law, a female officer may take a two-hour breastfeeding break daily, and she may benefit from this break in the beginning and end of her shift.

The breastfeeding break starts from the child's birth and continues for one year. The break is not applicable during Ramadan, unless the officer is on shift routine.

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued law number 18 of 2017, partially amending law number 6 of 2012 pertaining to HR polices applied on police, civil defence and immigration officers. The new amendments aim at providing better work environment for female officers.

The law states that a female officer may benefit from a 90-day paid leave, starting from the date of childbirth. A medical committee may postpone the maternity leave for a maximum of three months if any medical emergency occurs. The officer may merge her maternity leave with any other leave prescribed in this law, provided that the entire leave does not exceed 120 days.

If the newborn child passes away during the maternity leave, the leave is cancelled. In such a case, the officer may apply for a 60-day birth leave or administrative leaves.

If a miscarriage occurs before the 24th week of pregnancy, the female officer may duly apply for a sick leave. If the miscarriage occurs after the 24th week, then the officer will receive a 60-day leave. If the newborn is born with a disability, the officer may benefit from a one-year paid leave, provided  she receives approval from a medical committee.

Weekends and official holidays are considered part of the maternity leave.

The law states that officers may not apply for paid examinations leaves. The officer who resigns or is terminated for any reason during the examination period will not receive any annual leave for the period he or she worked for the department.

The new law is applicable on the current cases of maternity leaves.

This law is valid from the date of issuance and to be published in the Official Gazette.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com


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