Kindergartens and childcare debut at the Hajj

Source: KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Children at the Hajj.

Kindergartens and nurseries for Hajj pilgrims’ children in Makkah and Madinah have been set up by the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education this year.

The facilities aim to provide an educational, qualitative and secure environment, supervised by qualified staff to meet the education, entertainment and healthcare needs for the children of Hajj pilgrims. This helps to reduce the likelihood of congestion and infection, lost children or dangers at the holy sites, while the pilgrims perform their rites.

Pilgrims with children can request this service during Hajj permit registrations at the Ministry’s portal starting from this year. In addition to both the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Education, other entities participating in this service include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Development and Tatweer. Tatweer is wholly-owned by the government and provides educational services.

Children aged from two months to 10 years will be welcomed from 18 to 24 August, categorised as:

– Infants from 2 months – 1.5 years

– Toddlers from 2 – 3 years

– Children from 6 – 10 years

They will be educated in five languages: Arabic, English, French, Malawi and Turkish.

Children will be protected by various means, including access controls using fingerprints for children, parents and authorised staff, as well as identity checks with relevant security entities. The system also includes surveillance cameras.

New decree on maternity and childcare leave for Dubai government employees

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, VP and PM of UAE HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Decree No (14) of 2017 on maternity and childcare leave for female employees of the Dubai government.

The decree aims to promote a balance between career and family, support the rights of working women and provide a legal framework for enhancing gender balance.

The provisions of the decree will be applied retroactively to current maternity leave and nursing breaks of female employees of the Dubai government.

Under the fecree, any full-time or part-time employee in a permanent position is entitled to 90 days of maternity leave from the date of delivery. The employee can also apply to start her maternity leave 30 days before her due date on the condition that the leave is taken continuously. Furthermore, the employee can combine maternity leave, regular annual leave and leave without pay for a maximum of 120 days.

Additionally, the decree states that an employee who has suffered a miscarriage before the 24th week of her pregnancy is entitled to sick leave based on a duly approved medical report. If the employee had a stillbirth or a miscarriage after the 24th week, she is entitled to 60 days of maternity leave after providing an approved medical report.

An employee who gave birth to a child with disability is entitled to childcare leave of one year, which is renewable up to a maximum of three years based on an approved medical report and approval from the concerned senior official in the government entity.

During the maternity leave and childcare leave prescribed in this Decree, the employee will only receive her basic monthly salary; weekends and official holidays are considered part of the maternity leave and childcare leave.

The decree also states that Dubai government entities must establish a nursery for employees’ children below four years if the total number of children of female employees is 20 or above. If the total number of children is less than 20, two or more government entities can jointly establish a nursery. Government entities may also contract nurseries close to their headquarters if the entity does not have adequate space for the nursery.

This decree annuls any other legislation that contradicts or challenges its articles. The decree is valid from 1 March 2017 and will be published in the Official Gazette.

posted from Bloggeroid