UAE Maternity Leave Laws 2026: Can Your Employer Fire You?

Aug 9
4 min read

When preparing for a new baby while working in the UAE, career security is often at the top of mind. Questions around contract stability during pregnancy or maternity leave can cause unnecessary stress for expecting mothers navigating the corporate landscape.

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regarding the regulation of labor relations, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) enforces strict statutory protections. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of worker rights, dismissal prohibitions, and legal remedies available to female employees in 2026.

Can an Employer Fire You on Maternity Leave in the UAE?

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Under Article 30 of the UAE Labor Law, an employer is explicitly prohibited from terminating an employee's services or issuing a notice of termination because of her pregnancy or because she is taking maternity leave.

Dismissing an employee specifically for exercising her statutory right to maternity leave constitutes arbitrary dismissal. In such cases, MOHRE regulations allow employees to file a labor complaint and seek financial compensation up to three months of gross salary.

Exceptions and Performance-Based Redundancy

While termination *because* of maternity leave is illegal, employers may terminate contracts during pregnancy or after return for non-pregnancy reasons (such as documented gross misconduct under Article 44 or company-wide restructuring). However, the burden of proof rests heavily on the employer to demonstrate that the dismissal was entirely unrelated to maternity status.

Maternity Leave Entitlements Under UAE Labor Law (2026)

Female employees in the private sector are entitled to a total of 60 calendar days of maternity leave for each pregnancy. The statutory leave allowance is divided into two distinct payment tiers.

First 45 Days: Fully paid salary (basic plus allowances).
Next 15 Days: Half paid salary.
Additional Unpaid Extension: Up to 45 consecutive or non-consecutive unpaid days if the employee suffers from a pregnancy-related illness verified by an official medical report.

*Tip: Keep written record of your formal maternity notice email to HR along with your medical certificate stating your expected due date.*

Comparing Statutory Maternity Rights Across Sectors

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While the standard private sector rule applies to mainland companies, free zones and public sector bodies may offer extended benefits.

Jurisdiction / Sector	Paid Maternity Leave Duration	Nursing Breaks Post-Return
UAE Mainland Private Sector (MOHRE)	60 Days (45 Full Pay + 15 Half Pay)	2 daily 30-min breaks for 6 months
DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)	65 Work Days (33 Full Pay + 32 Half Pay)	1 daily 1-hour break for 1 year
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)	65 Work Days (33 Full Pay + 32 Half Pay)	1 daily 1-hour break for 1 year

Nursing Breaks and Post-Maternity Protections

Upon returning to work following maternity leave, female workers retain statutory rights designed to support nursing mothers during the child's first six months after birth.

Employees are entitled to one or two daily nursing breaks not exceeding one hour total per day. Crucially, these breaks are counted as working hours and cannot result in any deduction from basic salary or allowances.

What to Do If You Face Unlawful Termination or Retaliation

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If your employer threatens termination or issues a dismissal notice while you are pregnant or on maternity leave, immediate legal and administrative steps should be taken to protect your employment rights.

Document all communication: Save emails, WhatsApp messages, and official letters regarding your leave request and dismissal notice.
File a MOHRE Complaint: Log a dispute via the official MOHRE app or helpline (600 590000).
MOHRE Mediation: Labor advisors will attempt an amicable settlement between employer and employee.
Labor Court Transfer: If unresolved within 14 days, the dispute is referred to the Labor Court for legal adjudication.

*Tip: Do not sign any end-of-service cancellation form or release waiver if you intend to challenge an arbitrary dismissal with MOHRE.*

FAQ

Can an employer fire you on maternity leave in the UAE?

No. Article 30 of UAE Labor Law prohibits terminating an employee or serving a termination notice due to pregnancy or taking statutory maternity leave.

How many days of paid maternity leave are allowed in the UAE?

Private sector employees are entitled to 60 days total: 45 days fully paid and 15 days half-paid.

Are nursing breaks paid under UAE Labor Law?

Yes. Nursing breaks totaling up to one hour daily during the first six months after birth are treated as paid working hours.