SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY

5.6.3 Does your university as a body have a maternity and paternity policies that support women’s participation?

Maternity policy

Al Maarefa University has a maternity policy that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s labor laws and additionally offers support to female employees during maternity leave. According to Saudi labor law, female employees are entitled to 10 weeks of paid maternity leave, which includes six weeks after birth and four weeks before [1].

In addition to adhering to this legal requirement, Al Maarefa University provides a supportive workplace for returning mothers. The university encourages flexible working arrangements and offers a welcoming environment for female employees balancing career and family responsibilities, ensuring women’s continued participation in the workforce.

This approach underscores the university’s commitment to gender equity and work-life balance, fostering an environment that supports women in both their professional and personal lives.

Labor Law - PART IX EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN

Article (149)

Taking into consideration the provisions of Article (1) of this Law, women shall work in all fields suitable to their nature. It is prohibited to employ women in hazardous jobs or industries. The Minister, pursuant to a decision by him, shall determine the professions and jobs that are deemed detrimental to health and likely to expose women to specific risks; in such cases, women’s employment shall be prohibited or restricted under certain terms [2].

Article (150)

Women may not work during a period of night the duration of which is not less than eleven consecutive hours, except in cases determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister [2].

Article (151)

A female worker shall be entitled to a maternity leave for the four weeks immediately preceding the expected date of delivery and the subsequent six weeks. The probable date of delivery shall be determined by the physician of the firm or pursuant to a medical report [2].

Article (152)

During the maternity leave, an employer shall pay the female worker half her wage if she has been in his service for one year or more, and a full wage if she has served for three years or more as of the date of commencement of such leave. A female worker shall not be paid any wages during her regular annual leave if she has enjoyed in the same year a maternity leave with full wage. She shall be paid half her wage during the annual leave if she has enjoyed in the same year a maternity leave at half wage [2].

Article (153)

An employer shall provide medical care for female workers during pregnancy and delivery [2].

Article (154)

When a female worker returns to work following a maternity leave, she shall be entitled, in addition to the rest periods granted to all workers, to a rest period or periods not exceeding in aggregate one hour a day for nursing her infant [2].

Maternity/Paternity Leave in Saudi Arabia

Pregnant employees are generally entitled to 10 weeks of paid maternity leave. They may take up to 4 weeks before the birth and must take at least 6 weeks after. During this leave, employees are entitled to half pay if they have been employed for at least 1 year, and full pay if they have been employed for at least 3 years from the commencement date of the leave. However, if an employee takes their annual vacation during the same year as maternity leave, they are only entitled during that vacation to half pay or to no pay, depending on whether they received half pay or full pay during their maternity leave. Medical expenses related to pregnancy and delivery must be paid by the employer [3].

Partners are eligible for 3 days of paid parental leave.

Article 152

During the maternity leave, an employer shall pay the female worker half her wage if she has been in his service for one year or more, and a full wage if she has served for three years or more as of the date of commencement of such leave. A female worker shall not be paid any wages during her regular annual leave if she has enjoyed in the same year a maternity leave with full wage. She shall be paid half her wage during the annual leave if she has enjoyed in the same year a maternity leave at half wage [2].

Article 155

Article 155 An employer may not terminate the employment of a female worker or give her a warning of the same while on maternity leave [2].

LIFE Initiative

AlMaarefa’s LIFE Initiative is a university programme for community health promotion (first aid, maternal health awareness and related outreach), reflecting institutional investment in women’s health and preventive services supporting participation [4].

Research Day

The University’s Research Day compendium contains studies and abstracts on maternal health, miscarriage and reproductive health, demonstrating research capacity and institutional focus on topics that affect women’s participation and well-being [5].

References