President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered paternity leave in the private sector in the UAE. The UAE is the first Gulf country to allow fathers to leave. The order was issued by the President on Sunday. This is after the President approved new amendments to the federal law on labor.
Officials said the paternity leave as part of an effort to support gender equality and equal opportunities as well as achieve family unity and stability. According to the order, private sector employees will be entitled to five days paid leave to take care of their newborns from the date of birth to the age of six months. Government sources said the new law aims to strengthen the leadership of the UAE, increase its competitiveness in gender equality, and achieve family cohesion and stability.
The amendment contains a number of proposals that encourage more young people to enter the private sector. The latest of these is paternity leave. The UAE also states that it is important for “fathers or mothers” to be given paid leave when their child is born. They say the new order is part of legislation related to gender equality, which aims to create a competitive model for the world and promote a work environment in the country’s private sector.
