Three-Day Paternity Leave for Government Workers Gains Committee Approval

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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New fathers working in Bahrain’s government sector could soon get three days of paid leave, as Parliament’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee backs a plan to extend paternity benefits. MP Jalal Kadhem has submitted two amendments to the Labour Law—one for government employees, which has received the committee’s approval, and another for the private sector, which is still awaiting review. Both proposals aim to expand paternity leave from a single day to three paid days.

The goal is to give families more support by letting fathers spend time at home in those crucial early days, helping their wives and bonding with their newborns. ‘The father’s role includes handling official paperwork for the baby and standing by his wife until she’s discharged and safe,’ Kadhem explained, adding that a father’s presence often reassures mothers and lifts their spirits.

Kadhem pointed to Saudi Arabia’s law, where workers receive three days of paid leave for the birth of a child. He suggested Bahrain could follow a similar approach, strengthening family bonds and easing the early challenges faced by new parents.

In his note, Kadhem drew on Bahrain’s Constitution, which upholds the family as the bedrock of society, built on faith, ethics, and loyalty. The Constitution calls for laws that protect this foundation, keep family bonds strong, and shield mothers and children. Kadhem’s plan aligns with these values, aiming for a family-first approach that helps fathers balance work and home life in Bahrain.

The proposal is expected to be discussed in Parliament in the upcoming sessions, where MPs will decide on its final approval.