Parliament considers bill to extend parental free time to 2 years
The bill proposes extending this entitlement so that parents are granted 30 minutes of free time twice a day until the child reaches two years of age.
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A bill to amend the Employment Act to allow government employees dedicated time with their children was introduced in Parliament on Tuesday.
The bill was read for the first time in the People’s Majlis and was presented by PNC MP Mohamed Shameez on behalf of the government.
The proposed amendment seeks to extend provisions currently set out in Article 45 of the Employment Act. Under existing law, an employee is entitled, following the completion of maternity leave, to 30 minutes of free time twice a day to visit their child without any deduction from pay. The provision applies during the first year of the child’s life.
The bill proposes extending this entitlement so that parents are granted 30 minutes of free time twice a day until the child reaches two years of age.
If passed, the amendment would apply to government employees and revise the duration of the existing parental time allowance provided under the Employment Act.
