At a glance
- Three MPs have proposed to extend paid maternity leave in the private sector from 60 to 70 days.
- The proposal highlights that Saudi Arabia and Egypt offer similar or longer paid maternity leave.
- The initiative aims to support working mothers, align with regional standards, and reinforce gender equality as per the Bahraini Constitution.
Three members of parliament have introduced a bill to extend paid maternity leave for women in the private sector from 60 to 70 days. The proposed amendment targets clause (a) of Article 32 of the Labour Law. Currently, the law provides female workers with 60 days of paid maternity leave, covering both the pre- and post-natal periods, subject to a medical certificate from a government health centre or an employer-approved clinic. In addition, women can opt for an additional 15 days of unpaid leave. The explanatory memorandum to the draft law draws comparisons with neighbouring countries, noting that Saudi Arabia offers ten weeks of paid maternity leave and that Egypt has a similar provision. The proposal also refers to Article 5(b) of the Bahraini Constitution, which emphasises the state's responsibility to reconcile women's family responsibilities with their professional roles and to ensure their equality with men in all political, social, cultural and economic spheres, in accordance with Islamic law. The initiative aims to strengthen support for working mothers in Bahrain, bring the country's maternity leave policy into line with regional standards and reinforce the constitutional commitment to gender equality.
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