What Is Bahrain's Maternity Leave Entitlement?

Key facts

The specifics, before the explanation.

• Paid maternity leave was extended from 60 to 70 days for private-sector workers, following a proposal from four women MPs
• An additional 15 days of unpaid maternity leave remains available on top of the paid entitlement
• Leave can be taken before and after delivery
• A medical certificate from a recognised health centre or employer-approved clinic confirming the expected delivery date is required
• The change follows earlier proposals discussed around a phased extension toward longer paid leave

What this actually means

This is one of the more recently moving parts of Bahrain's labour law, and the extension from 60 to 70 days reflects an active legislative push, driven specifically by women MPs, to bring private-sector leave closer to what public-sector and regional peers offer. If you're planning around an expected delivery date, the extra 10 days matters for how you structure paid versus unpaid time.

The unpaid 15-day extension exists as a separate, additional buffer beyond the paid period, useful if recovery or newborn care takes longer than the paid window allows, without needing to negotiate anything extra with your employer.

Because this changed recently, it's worth confirming with your HR department or LMRA directly that your specific contract and start date fall under the updated 70-day rule rather than an older policy your employer hasn't yet updated internally.

What to actually do

Rules and figures move. Confirm anything time-sensitive with the official regulator before you rely on it.

• Get your medical certificate from a recognised or employer-approved clinic early, since it's required to formally start your leave.
• Plan your paid-versus-unpaid leave split in advance, now that 70 paid days plus 15 unpaid days is the benchmark to check against.
• Confirm with HR that your contract has been updated to reflect the new 70-day figure rather than the older 60-day standard.
• Ask about return-to-work arrangements (breastfeeding breaks, flexible hours) separately, since these are often covered by additional company policy beyond the statutory leave itself.
• Because this entitlement changed via recent legislation, verify the current figure with LMRA before finalising your leave plan.

Frequently asked questions

Is the extended maternity leave paid in full?

The 70-day period is paid leave; the additional 15 days beyond that is unpaid, so plan your finances around the paid window ending at 70 days unless your employer offers something beyond the statutory minimum.

Does this apply to public-sector employees too?

The extension specifically targeted private-sector workers; public-sector maternity leave has historically followed separate rules, so confirm your specific entitlement with your employer's HR department if you work in the public sector.

Can I split my maternity leave before and after delivery however I like?

The leave is designed to be taken around the delivery date, with the exact split typically agreed with your employer and supported by your medical certificate's expected delivery date, so discuss your preferred split with HR ahead of time.

Sources

Referenced for this guide:

• Daily Tribune: MPs unanimously approve extension of paid maternity leave by 10 days for private sector workers
• Daily Tribune: 70-day maternity leave for private sector workers proposed