A proposal to extend paid maternity leave for women employees in the private sector from 60 to 70 days is set for debate in Parliament.
The draft bill, amending the 2012 Private Sector Employment Law, has been presented by five female MPs, led by Hanan Fardan.
It modifies Article 32 (a) of the law by increasing paid maternity leave to 70 days and allowing an additional 15 days of unpaid leave, if requested by the employee.
“This initiative aligns with Bahrain’s constitutional commitment to supporting women in balancing family and professional responsibilities,” said Ms Fardan.
“Increasing maternity leave ensures that working mothers receive the necessary time to recover and provide early childcare, which is essential for both maternal and infant health.”
The MPs said that countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt already provide longer maternity leave periods and that Bahrain should follow suit.
The proposal has received mixed reactions from various stakeholders.
Acting Labour Minister and Legal Affairs Minister Yousif Khalaf expressed reservations, arguing that extending maternity leave could discourage private sector employers from hiring women due to prolonged absences.
The move could disrupt workplace productivity, especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and create disparities between public and private sector benefits, contradicting efforts to unify employment conditions across sectors, he added.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed confirmed that maternity leave certificates are already issued for 60 days based on existing legal provisions and emphasised that any extension should be carefully evaluated in terms of public health impact.
The Supreme Council for Women raised concerns that employers may avoid hiring women if maternity leave is extended.
“The proposal could have economic implications that must be thoroughly studied,” it added.
The Bahrain Chamber opposed the amendment, stating that the existing 60-day leave period already balances social justice and economic sustainability.
The chamber added that extending maternity leave could increase financial burden on businesses, potentially affecting competitiveness.
The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions and Bahrain Women’s Union supported the proposal, emphasising that longer maternity leave aligns with modern labour rights standards and allows mothers to provide better early childcare.
“Women contribute significantly to Bahrain’s workforce and it is only fair that we provide them with the necessary support,” said services committee chairwoman MP Jalila Al Sayed, who is also a co-sponsor of the proposal.
“This amendment is a step towards ensuring that working mothers are not forced to choose between their careers and their families.
“We must recognise the long-term benefits of investing in maternal and child well-being.”
Ms Al Sayyed claimed that the outcome of this legislative proposal will set an important precedent for women’s rights in the workforce and could influence future labour law reforms in Bahrain.
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