Flexible and remote working arrangements could soon become a formal requirement for mothers in the UAE following proposals raised at the Federal National Council during a session focused on family protection and social stability.
The discussion, held on January 21, examined how work structures can better support caregiving responsibilities, with council members urging that flexibility be prioritised for mothers with young children, women caring for elderly parents, and people of determination. The scope of the proposal has not yet been defined, leaving open whether it would apply to public sector employees, private sector workers, or both.
The case for mandatory flexibility was presented by Maryam Majid Bin Thania, second deputy speaker of the council and chairperson of the Committee on Social Affairs, Labour, Population and Human Resources.
She said: “We affirm the importance of the mother’s presence alongside her children in the early stages of their lives, especially children with special needs, and children under the age of ten, as well as the woman who undertakes the care of her parents in her home.
“Here, we reaffirm the previous demands and recommendations of the Council and those discussed today, that flexible work and remote work be prioritised for these categories, as well as special humanitarian cases.
“The balance between a woman’s work and her home is an important demand, and this is evident from the policy pursued by the Ministry of Family since its establishment to this day.
“The working mother is an important cadre in the development process of the United Arab Emirates, and we affirm the importance of her continued role in the national development work, whether at her workplace or remotely, as remote work is no less important than work at the headquarters.”
Responding on behalf of the government, Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family, said the issue is already under active review within the Ministry of Family Affairs.
She said: “We affirm that this topic falls within the priorities of the Ministry of Family Affairs. In November 2025, the National Agenda for Family Growth was adopted, which included key axes to be implemented during the Year of the Family and the coming years.
“One of these axes is the axis of balancing work and family responsibilities. An initiative was included within this axis concerning mothers with disabilities and children under eight years old.
“We also affirm that the early years are crucial years that require the presence of caregivers and parents alongside the children.
“Currently, we are working on discussing these policies internally in preparation for their adoption.
“There is an initiative for the Quality Mark Program for a parent-supportive work environment, which is applied at the level of the private sector. We have a vision for the program to also include government institutions, as it is currently a voluntary initiative.”
Alongside flexibility measures, council members floated additional proposals aimed at narrowing differences between public and private sector benefits. These included a national incentive programme that could offer tax exemptions or reduced fees to private companies that adopt family-friendly workplace policies.
The session also revisited a long-standing ministerial decision on the establishment of workplace nurseries, with renewed calls for its enforcement across institutions.
