In anticipation of the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the ‘Year of the Family,’ local governments across the Emirates are rolling out a series of progressive policies aimed at enhancing work-life balance and supporting working parents. These initiatives focus on integrating family responsibilities with professional life, offering flexibility and comprehensive support to strengthen the modern family unit.
Ajman has taken a leading role with a comprehensive overhaul of its Human Resources law for government employees. Key provisions include flexible working hours and remote work options, extensive family leave such as enhanced maternity and paternity leave, marriage leave, childcare leave, and bereavement leave. Additionally, pregnant employees and those raising five or more children will benefit from increased work-hour flexibility.
Dubai and Sharjah have introduced paid marriage leave policies to support the formation and stability of new families. Dubai offers 10 working days of fully paid marriage leave to Emirati nationals, including all salary allowances, effective from 2025. Sharjah provides eight days of paid marriage leave and a unique ‘Care Leave’ for female employees who give birth to a sick child or a child with disabilities requiring constant care.
Abu Dhabi has focused on social and civil family law reforms, particularly for its non-Muslim expatriate community. The 2021 Civil Family Law introduced a secular alternative to Sharia-based personal status laws, offering civil options for marriage, divorce, and custody. Key features include legal registration of civil marriages, a non-fault divorce process, and equal custody rights for both parents. The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has also extended maternity leave rights to female employees who adopt a child under five years old or experience a stillbirth or miscarriage after 24 weeks.
These initiatives build upon federal reforms, including five days of paid parental leave for all working parents within the first six months of a child’s birth, extended child custody to the age of 18, and equal travel rights for both parents. These measures reflect the UAE’s commitment to promoting shared parental responsibility and enhancing family well-being.