A new proposal that could significantly ease the burden on working parents and custodial families was presented yesterday.
The initiative, by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh, seeks to grant grandparents and wives the legal authority to complete official documentation for children at ministries and government agencies.
Traditionally, these responsibilities often fell solely on the father or legal guardian, causing delays when they were unavailable due to work or other commitments.
The proposal is expected to address bureaucratic challenges faced by families and ensure children’s urgent needs are met without unnecessary delays.
Under the proposed framework, wives and grandparents – specifically those on the custodial side in cases of divorce or separation – will be empowered to act on behalf of children when handling official paperwork.
This includes tasks such as obtaining birth certificates, registering children in schools, securing health records or applying for government benefits.
The proposal acknowledges the evolving role of family members and aims to provide a more inclusive and flexible approach to documentation.
“We want to make it easier for families to manage their responsibilities without causing unnecessary disruption to their daily lives, particularly for working parents,” explained Mr Al Mahfoodh.
“One of the primary motivations behind the proposal is to reduce delays caused by rigid bureaucratic requirements.
“Currently, although many government services are offered online, some tasks still require personal attendance or specific forms of identification from the father or guardian.
“This can create obstacles, particularly for families facing time constraints or those unable to meet the in-person requirements.”
The proposed amendment would allow grandparents or wives to fulfil these requirements, provided they can present evidence of their familial connection to the child and the guardian’s approval, where applicable.
“The initiative is particularly important for single-parent families and those dealing with divorce or separation.
“In these situations, the custodial parent often struggles to manage both care-giving and administrative duties, especially when court processes or custody arrangements limit their ability to act freely.”
If implemented, Mr Al Mahfoodh believes this policy could set a precedent for introducing family-friendly measures in government operations.
The proposal is expected to be debated in upcoming parliamentary sessions, with input from various stakeholders, including legal experts, social workers and government agencies.
Proponents believed that the measure could reduce workplace absenteeism for parents, improve service efficiency and better address the realities of modern family life.
Opponents, however, may raise concerns over security and accountability, emphasising the need for clear guidelines to prevent misuse of this authority.
The proposal has been forwarded by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to the services committee for review.
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