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Workshop highlights need for stronger maternity leave policies in GCC

22 Jan 2025 Workshop highlights need for stronger maternity leave policies in GCC

Muscat – Ministry of Labour hosted a workshop in Muscat on Wednesday in collaboration with the Executive Bureau of Council of Labour Ministers and Ministers of Social Affairs of Gulf Cooperation Council to address the impact of maternity leave legislations on the labour market and development in GCC countries.

The event aimed to share experiences across the region, develop flexible work policies to support women and recommend improvements to legislation safeguarding women’s rights in the workforce.

Amal Saeed al Sabti, Director General of Planning and Labour Policies at Ministry of Labour, said the workshop provided a valuable platform to exchange ideas on enhancing labour policies, particularly those related to maternity leave. “This workshop is timely and relevant, given the ongoing global economic and social changes,” she noted.

Highlighting Oman’s recent maternity leave legislation, Amal said it reflects the country’s commitment to empowering working women. “Such legislation promotes social stability, human well-being and gender equality, which are key objectives of Oman Vision 2040 to create a sustainable and inclusive society,” she added.

Participants discussed the critical role of maternity leave as a social right, touching on its broader implications for female workers, their families and the labour market. Challenges such as balancing women’s rights with economic priorities and streamlining maternity leave policies were also examined.

Key areas of discussion included the impact of maternity leave on female workforce turnover, job stability, employer hesitancy in hiring women due to leave obligations, and mechanisms to compensate establishments for lost work. Suggestions included centralising compensation disbursement and narrowing disparities in benefits between the public and private sectors.

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