Sharjah, May 6, 2025: In a historic decision, the Sharjah Ruler has put forth a policy of granting paid maternity leave in favour of working mothers with a newborn requiring medical attention. This step, promulgated by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and the Ruler of Sharjah, shall thus change the lives and affect many families in that emirate. The new policy, named “Care Leave,” permits mothers to take paid maternity leave for a term of three years if their newborn requires special medical attention or constant care.
A New Era of Support for Working Mothers
The Sharjah Ruler’s decree to extend paid maternity leave came at the conclusion of a two-year study undertaken by the NAMA Women Advancement group. This study reviewed current legislations and brought into focus the challenges mothers face while taking care of their children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. In response to this, the Sharjah Ruler directed the government to provide a truly flexible and compassionate solution: one year of fully paid maternity leave with the option of extending it for up to three years, contingent upon the medical requirements of the child and annual health assessments.
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This paid maternity leave starts at the end of the normal maternity leave term. Medical reports certified by a healthcare institution confirming the child’s condition at birth must be submitted by the mother for enrollment in such maternity leave. The policy ensures that such mothers shall focus on their child’s health without worrying about job security or financial stability.The sole reason behind this decision taken by the Ruler of Sharjah was to ensure family stability and prosperity for children and their mothers in the emirate.
Chairman of the Sharjah Human Resources Department, Abdullah Ibrahim Al Zaabi, announces that Care Leave has now become a legal right under the Sharjah Human Resources Law. It is considered as a portion of the employee’s working years, and it is evaluated by itself under the same performance appraisal systems applied in other assignments. There can come a day when the child’s condition improves or there is another assessment by a relevant medical authority, and the Care Leave can then be suspended. Otherwise, if the leave extends beyond three years, consent can be given thereto by the director or the Higher Committee for Human Resources.
Sharjah Ruler Sets a New Standard for Paid Maternity Leave
The extension of paid maternity leave granted by the Ruler of Sharjah is a great example of how the emirate has positioned itself in the forefront of family-friendly policies. Sharjah now stands alongside some global cities familiar with the concept of working mothers and children with medical challenges. The new policy promotes mothers but also strengthens their community by ensuring families facing dire circumstances are not left behind.
The policy is one that is bound to forge good relations with the workforce; mothers who were trying to reconcile work-life-business now have the opportunity to spend time with their sick children with the assurance of the full support available from their employers and the Government. The other major impetus for this decision is to induce other areas to think along the same lines toward the promotion of a culture of compassion and inclusivity.
An extended paid maternity leave, it is more than just a benefit; rather, it is the recognition of the important contribution men and women make in society. The Sharjah Ruler, with a broad vision, considers the empowerment of women and family stability as a focal area for sustainable development and social responsibility within the emirate.
Charting the Way: Setting Up a Supportive Environment For Families
Providing for up to three years of paid maternity leave for mothers of newborns with medical needs speaks volumes about the forward-thinking leadership style of the Sharjah Ruler. This goes to show the intent of setting up a supportive family environment for working mothers so that no one should have to choose between his or her job and their child’s health.
The Care Leave policy is a major step forward for the empowerment of women in Sharjah. It grants mothers the time and resources needed to care for their children through crucial periods. The Sharjah Ruler’s decision will instill confidence among working mothers and set an unprecedented regional standard for paid maternity leave.
To conclude, the extension of paid maternity leave approved by the Sharjah Ruler opens a new chapter in the emirate’s path toward inclusivity and social advancement. Sharjah is building a stronger, more compassionate community for all, focusing on the requirements of mothers and children. The Care Leave policy, in doing so, sets an important example for others to follow and thereby underscores the importance of supporting families when life demands it.
The Ruler of Sharjah’s initiative is not merely a policy change but a promise of a brighter and stronger future for mothers and children, made possible through extended paid maternity leave.
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