Law introducing 98 days of maternity leave and seven days of paternity leave will be effective from July as part of the social protection system and its executive regulations. From July 19, the Social Protection Fund (SPF) will implement maternity leave insurance for both Omani and non-Omani employees across the sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
The new law represents a significant shift towards a comprehensive and holistic approach to social protection across the life cycle. It ensures integration between social assistance and social insurance schemes to guarantee dignity and well-being for a decent standard of living and strengthens employment opportunities and active labour participation.
The initiative is part of a strategic effort to enhance benefits within the SPF, aligning with Oman Vision 2040's goal of ensuring well-being and social protection to support a decent and sustainable life for all. This new legislation aims to create a more attractive and responsive labour market, characterised by flexibility, efficiency, and the capacity to manage challenges effectively. It prioritises national capabilities, enhances institutional performance, and improves administrative practices.
The law considers the social aspects of the workforce to boost productivity and performance, particularly among women. Under the new provisions, women are entitled to 98 days of maternity leave, with the option to take up to 14 days before the expected birth date. Men are entitled to seven days of paternity leave, provided the child is born alive, and this leave must be taken within 98 days of the child's birth. These leave periods are included within the employee’s actual service period.
Employers are prohibited from requiring women to return to work during their maternity leave. If an insured woman changes her workplace, she will continue to receive the maternity leave allowance based on her last wage before the move. Huda al Jardaniya, Director of the Maternity Leave Benefits Allowance Project at the SPF, explained that employers must contribute 1 per cent of the monthly wage to the maternity leave insurance as stipulated in Article 128 of the Social Protection Law.
This provision applies to all Omanis working in Oman, regardless of contract type, including temporary, training, and retired workers, as well as non-Omani workers in specified categories determined by the Council. However, these provisions do not apply to self-employed Omanis, part-time Omani employees, Omanis working in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, or those employed abroad. Maternity leave insurance, as one of the social insurance branches outlined in the SPL, aims to provide social protection by ensuring women on maternity leave receive 100 per cent of their salary during the leave period.
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