RAK government amends maternity leave

The Ras al-Khaimah government has decided to amend the maternity leave for working women, enabling them to take three months of fully paid leave.

The move follows the directives of the UAE Gender Balance Council to strengthen the balance index between the sexes in government agencies. The council was launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to develop policies that support working women to contribute dynamically in community service.

Dr. Mohammed Abdul Latif, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Ras al-Khaimah, said that the government here appreciates the role of women in development and their outstanding participation in public work.

"We appreciate the leadership's keenness on improving the status of women to overcome all the challenges that inhibit their active contribution to public life and career. This reflects positively on progress of the community," he said.

The Ra’s al-Khaimah government took an initiative in 2015 to extend the period of breast-feeding to a full year in order to enable women to play their role as mothers and strike a balance between work and family.