Remote Work System for Working Mothers in UAE

31 July 2024

Shuchi Goel

The UAE is a nation striving for progress, inclusivity, empowering mothers and strengthening Families. A crucial aspect of this vision is supporting working mothers, who play a vital role in both the workforce and family life. This proposal outlines a comprehensive remote work system specifically designed to empower working mothers with children under 10 years old.

Dubai: A proposal had been made by a Federal National Council (FNC) member, Maryam Majid bin Thaniah, to allow some working mothers in the UAE to perform their duties from home. This proposal specifically targets working mothers with children under the age of 10, as well as those caring for children with special needs and elderly parents.

The Need for Remote Work Options

·        Work-Life Balance: Balancing demanding careers with the needs of young children is a constant struggle for working mothers. Remote work offers flexibility to manage childcare responsibilities, leading to increased productivity and reduced stress.

·    Early Childhood Development: Mothers are critical figures in a child's early development. Remote work allows for a more balanced presence, fostering stronger bonds and facilitating involvement in crucial developmental stages.

·      Retention and Talent Acquisition: Offering remote work options makes the UAE a more attractive destination for working mothers, promoting talent retention and attracting skilled professionals.

Context and Government Response

The recent amendments to working hours in federal authorities have increased the burden on female employees caring for special groups. Bin Thaniah questioned what measures the Federal Authority for Human Resources has in place to support this category of employees.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the UAE demonstrated exceptional adaptability due to its flexible legislative and administrative structure, leading the way in remote work implementation globally.

In response to the proposal, Minister Al Roumi highlighted the efforts made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources to provide a flexible and suitable work environment, mentioning several measures and regulations supporting work flexibility, including part-time, temporary, flexible, and full-time employment patterns under Federal Decree Law No. (49) of 2022.

 Existing Measures and Future Plans

Al Roumi also noted the approval of a weekly work system reducing working days to four and a half days, along with the regulation of flexible working hours and remote work. Circular No. (2) of 2022 allowed federal government employees to work remotely on Fridays. The executive regulations of the Human Resources Law in the Federal Government include provisions to support working mothers in terms of leave and accompanying a patient.

In UAE, the remote work has been applied to all mothers working in federal government authorities, by introducing a “half-time remote work” system to assist working mothers who have children under the age of ten to carry out their duties in terms of observing the health and psychological growth of their children, and instilling the ethics, culture and traditions of the society in the generations that represent the future of this nation. Also, the remote work includes applying the “full remote work” system for a working mother who takes care of a family member classified as “special categories”. The UAE has a legislative, administrative, and technical structures that support the remote work system, in coordination with the status of employees and the visions and decisions of the officials in charge.

The UAE's regulations on remote work, particularly concerning women employees, are governed by specific resolutions and labor laws. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2020 outlines different types of remote work arrangements, including partial remote work where employees can divide their time between their workplace and a remote location based on set parameters like hours or days. Fully remote work is also permitted for roles that can be entirely performed remotely.

Executive Council Resolution No. 36 of 2020 for Dubai Government employees specifies full-time and part-time telework options based on whether the job duties can be performed outside the department's premises. This flexibility allows for a balanced approach to working remotely and in the office as deemed suitable by the department.

Additionally, UAE labor laws, such as Article 30 of Labor Law No. 33 of 2021, provide protections for pregnant women, ensuring entitlements to fully paid maternity leave of 45 days and an additional 15 days at half salary. Following maternity leave, a female employee may take up to 45 consecutive or intermittent unpaid days as necessary.

A circular issued by the Federal Authority for Human Resources addresses the needs of working mothers with children engaged in remote learning. Federal entities may permit these mothers to work remotely, particularly if their child is in grade 6 or below, or if they care for a person with chronic illnesses or disabilities. This permission is subject to specific conditions under the remote work system outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2020, ensuring minimal disruption to departmental operations and alignment with the child's school timetable.

Furthermore, mothers of children requiring remote learning must provide a medical report proving the necessity of their presence. Notably, these provisions aim to support working mothers during the period of remote learning as determined by relevant authorities in the UAE

In Conclusion

Empowering working mothers benefits families, strengthens the workforce, and aligns with the UAE's vision of a progressive and inclusive society. By creating a framework for remote work options, the UAE can attract and retain top talent, fostering a thriving and supportive work environment for all.

This proposal seeks to highlight the difficulties faced by working mothers in balancing their professional duties with unique family circumstances, advocating for greater flexibility and support in their work environments.

ALKETBI TOUCH:

ALKETBI team is highly skilled can champion the rights of working mothers by advocating for flexible work options during contract negotiations or company policy revisions. We can leverage relevant labor laws and highlight the benefits of remote work for both mothers and employers. If a mother experiences resistance or potential discrimination regarding remote work options, we can provide legal advice and guidance on how to approach the situation while protecting her rights and advocating for fair treatment.

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