ABU DHABI // Despite feeling weak and dizzy after childbirth, Mariam al Ateeqi returned to work shortly after her first daughter was born.
Under the national maternity leave policy, Mrs Ateeqi was permitted to have 45 days off, but she had exhausted much of that time in the latter days of her pregnancy. And given her financial situation, quitting her job as a psychologist to be with her newborn was not feasible.
"I was not yet ready to go back," said Mrs Ateeqi, an Emirati mother of three. "After going into labour, a woman needs to rest at least two months, but the option was either I leave my baby with a nanny or I quit."
Her experience is common among working mothers, who argue that the 45-day time frame is insufficient.
In Sweden, for example, new mothers are entitled to 480 days of maternity leave, while in Canada, they receive 50 weeks.
In the UAE, a woman must have worked for a least one year for the same employer before she is eligible for the leave at full pay. If it is less than a year, she still receives the 45 days, but qualifies for only half the pay.
"But 45 days is not fair. It's not enough time for a mother with a [newborn] child," said Alia al Kendi, 26, an Emirati psychologist at the National Rehabilitation Centre, who gave birth to her first son last week.
"It's difficult to leave work because of the money, but at the same time, it's difficult to leave my baby when he is so small and needs breast-feeding."
Bonnie Scott-Laws, who founded the Working Mothers Group in Dubai, said the labour policy was far from adequate and left little room for possible medical complications.
"That 45 days is nothing, especially if the baby is not very well or the mother is healing from a Caesarean section," said Mrs Scott-Laws. "It's just awful."
She started the social network six years ago, and had found that many new mothers were upset with the country's maternity leave scheme.
"A couple of them phoned me, completely stressed, saying it took them four or five weeks to get into some kind of routine, and before they knew it, it was time to go back to work. There was very little time with the baby because they basically spent the 45 days finding a live-in nanny and sorting things out."
Khawla al Kaabi, also a psychologist at the National Rehabilitation Centre, said new mothers deserved more time away from work.
She recalled the strain of juggling work and caring for her son, now two years old, after the human resources department at her work refused to give her another month off without pay.
"The first month [after childbirth], I could not stand alone," she said. "I needed my sister to help bathe me. Then I came back to work after the maternity leave, but I was still feeling dizzy."
Upon learning that she was pregnant again, eight months after giving birth, Mrs Kaabi broke down in tears.
"I just cried. I was so tired. We want to have more children like our mothers did, but they have to change the system to help us."
Not all Emirati families are financially stable enough to live on one salary alone, says Mrs Ateeqi, who also works at the National Rehabilitation Centre. "As a local, we don't take jobs as a luxury; we work as a need.
"When the baby starts to love the nanny, this kills you. But I also need to work to survive."
New mothers can spend more time at home with their newborns by adding their annual sick leave allowance to the maternity leave.
But those who are ill throughout their pregnancy often do not have that luxury.
Samia al Ris, another psychologist at the centre, used the majority of her 21 days of sick leave during a complicated pregnancy that ended with a miscarriage.
Now Mrs Ris is pregnant again, but she has used up her sick days.
"I don't want to lose my baby again, I feel sad about that," she said.
"The doctor said I need to lie down all day, but what can I do? I cannot take more time off. Where are the options?"
The Ministry of Labour could not be reached for comment.
@Email:mkwong@thenational.ae
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC
Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045
Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
57%20Seconds
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The%20specs
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BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
RESULTS
6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.
8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
The Dictionary of Animal Languages
Heidi Sopinka
Scribe
The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
The years Ramadan fell in May
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
