A proposal has been put forth by Federal National Council (FNC) member, Maryam Majid bin Thaniah, suggesting that working mothers should have the option to carry out their duties from home.
Bin Thaniah emphasized in a Khaleej Times report that this opportunity should be extended to working mothers with children under the age of 10.
She argued that children under the age of 10 require their mother’s attention and care, making it essential for mothers to have the flexibility to work remotely. Additionally, the proposal also aimed to include mothers caring for children with special needs and those looking after elderly parents.
Bin Thaniah further suggested a flexible system where mothers could work in the office during the first half of the day and remotely from home during the second half. With recent changes in working hours for federal authorities, female employees caring for special groups have faced increased challenges in balancing their work and family responsibilities.
In response to the proposal, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, highlighted the efforts made by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources to provide a flexible and suitable work environment for all employees, particularly working mothers caring for special groups.
Al Roumi mentioned several measures and regulations that support work flexibility, including part-time, temporary, flexible, and full-time employment patterns granted by Federal Decree Law No. (49) of 2022. She also highlighted the approval of a weekly work system that reduces working days to four and a half days, as well as the option for federal government employees to work remotely on Fridays.
Moreover, Al Roumi emphasized the remote work system for federal government employees approved by UAE Cabinet No. (27) of 2020, which provides flexibility and support without compromising employees’ rights or work performance. She mentioned that the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has prepared a general framework for work flexibility, set to be launched for use by federal authorities in the near future.