MALE employees in the private sector could be granted three days of paternity leave for every child, if MPs have their way.
Five members of Parliament, led by Jalal Kadhem, have proposed amendments to the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law to add the privilege under Article 63.
Section A of the article provides for three days of time off for the first marriage, death of a family member up to the fourth degree and death of a family member of a spouse up to the second degree.
However, under Section B, male private sector employees are granted a day off for the birth of their child; women employees are already entitled to two months of paid leave from the date of the birth of a child.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia started granting three days of paternity leave, the first GCC country to do so.
All the other GCC states only give a day off, which is compensated if it falls on a weekend or a public holiday.
“Labour rules should be revised to ensure more fairness for male workers especially when someone is becoming a father,” said Mr Kadhem.
“One day is not enough; men need to be with their wives in hospital and not at work,” he added.
“This new rule will benefit employers as their employees will be in the right frame of mind to do their jobs, without being worried about the well-being of their wives or newborns.”
Mr Kadhem said the Saudi move was already proving effective.
“The three days have not disrupted work in Saudi Arabia with zero complaints reported by employers until the end of last month, according to the kingdom’s online statistics,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia has taken the initiative and we should follow in granting men employees in the private sector more rights.”
The proposal was submitted yesterday to Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, who immediately referred it to the services committee for a review.
The committee is temporarily being headed by vice-chairwoman Lulwa Al Romaihi, after the parliamentary membership of former chairman Mohammed Al Hussaini was revoked by the Cassation Court on July 10 for not disclosing that he held dual nationality at the time of contesting the November 2022 general elections.
Seven candidates, including two women, are currently in the race for Mr Hussaini’s seat from Muharraq Governorate constituency one (Busaiteen and Al Sayah).
Voting in the governorate will be held tomorrow while overseas voting in Bahrain’s embassies and consulates took place on Tuesday.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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