Proposed paid leave for chronically ill employees

7 July 2025 1 min read

By Zahir Qayum, Balall Maqbool and Saba Adel Mustafa

At a glance

  • Members of Parliament in Bahrain are considering a new law that would grant private sector workers diagnosed with chronic illnesses an additional ten days of paid leave per year.
  • This leave would be in addition to their regular sick leave and aims to support employees who require ongoing medical treatment.

Members of Parliament in Bahrain are considering a new law that would grant private sector workers diagnosed with chronic illnesses an additional ten days of paid leave per year. 

The proposed law applies to workers diagnosed with long-term conditions such as diabetes, cancer, sickle cell anaemia, heart disease, or kidney failure. Medical proof from public medical panels formed by ministerial order is required.

The additional leave entitles chronically ill employees to an additional ten days of paid time off which would not count against regular sick leave. The leave can be divided into shorter periods based on medical recommendations, ensuring minimal disruption to workflow. Employers are prohibited from taking discriminatory or disciplinary actions against employees for using this leave.

The proposal aims to ease the strain on employees needing regular medical follow-up, therefore promoting job stability and fair working conditions. It seeks to align Bahrain’s labour laws with global practices and enhance social solidarity within the workplace.