MPs push to extend paid maternity leave

22 April 2025 1 min read

By Balall Maqbool and Zahir Qayum

At a glance

  • The Bahraini National Assembly has been considering a proposal to extend maternity leave for female government employees to 70 days.
  • This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and practices in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
  • The proposal as attracted some criticism.

The Bahraini National Assembly has been considering a proposal to extend maternity leave for female government employees to 70 days. The proposal aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality. However, the proposal also raised concerns about potential disruptions to operational schedules in government agencies, especially in critical roles, which may lead to a need to temporary restructure or hiring substitutes.

There have also been concerns about increased public expenditure to cover salaries during the extended leave. The proposed 70-day leave aligns with practices in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, while other countries such as the UAE, France, and Sweden offer longer maternity leave periods. Egypt is currently considering increasing its maternity leave to 90 days.