Maternity leave a comprehensive overview

Maternity leave a comprehensive overview

It is essential for every mother to rest, recover post-delivery, and care for the newborn. The International Labour Organisation mandates a minimum of 14 weeks (98 days) of maternity leave and recommend increasing it to at least 18 weeks.

In Oman, the new labour law under Royal Decree No. 53/2023 extended maternity leave from 50 days to 98 days of fully paid maternity leave, covering pre- and post-birth periods. This applies even to women on temporary or training contracts and includes adoptive mothers of infants under three months old. Additionally, women can request up to one year of unpaid leave for childcare.

Including the post-maternity leave, nursing mothers are entitled to one hour daily for breastfeeding, as part of working hours for one year. Comparatively, Oman offers the longest maternity leave in the Gulf region. For instance, Bahrain grants 60 days of paid maternity leave, while Saudi Arabia provides 70 days. In Egypt, maternity leave extends to 112 days.

Western countries such as the UK, Norway, Germany, Greece, Sweden, and Japan offer even more generous maternity leaves, ranging from 270 to 525 days.

Maternity leave is crucial for newborns, allowing mothers to adapt to their needs and balance personal and professional life, enhancing their