Proposal to offer further protections to working mothers

At a glance

• Employers may be prohibited from dismissing pregnant employees or those on maternity leave.
• The proposed law covers dismissal during pregnancy, maternity leave, and related illness (up to 180 days with a medical certificate).
• It emphasises the need for healthcare access and breastfeeding breaks, strengthening the rights of working women.
• The proposed law highlights the negative effects of dismissal on family stability and the psychological well-being of mothers and aims to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace for working mothers in Bahrain.

Employers might soon be prohibited from dismissing pregnant employees or those on maternity leave if a proposed law is approved. The draft law, submitted by a member of parliament, addresses a troubling trend where companies terminate employees upon discovering their pregnancy or shortly after childbirth. The proponent of the law has emphasised that this practice is often employed to evade obligations related to healthcare access and breastfeeding breaks, sending a subtle yet powerful message that pregnancy is unwelcome in the workplace. 

The proposed amendment to the Civil Labour Law explicitly forbids the dismissal or threat of dismissal of female employees during pregnancy or maternity leave. This protection also covers periods of illness related to pregnancy or childbirth, provided the illness is verified by a certified medical certificate and the employee’s absence does not exceed 180 days in a year. The lawmaker stressed the importance of strengthening the rights of working women, noting that pregnancy and childbirth are critical periods requiring specialised healthcare. Dismissal during this time can jeopardise both the mother’s and the child’s health, negatively impacting family stability, which is the cornerstone of society. The memorandum accompanying the proposal highlights the potential for severe psychological consequences, including depression and frustration, resulting from job loss during pregnancy or maternity leave. 

The proposed legislation aims to address this issue directly, providing crucial legal protection for working mothers and fostering a more supportive and inclusive work environment in Bahrain.