Bahrain Maternity Leave: 60 Days, Documents and Return to Work

Current Bahrain maternity leave entitlement

These rules come from Article 32 of Bahrain's Labour Law in the Private Sector. The current consolidated legislation page still states 60 days. A news report or parliamentary proposal does not change payroll or leave rights unless the legal text is enacted and brought into force.

What document must the worker provide?

Article 32 requires a medical certificate that states the expected delivery date. The certificate must be from a government health centre or a clinic approved by the employer.

• Medical certificate with the expected delivery date.
• Written leave request stating the proposed start date.
• Written request for the optional 15 unpaid days, if needed.
• Employer acknowledgement or HR case number.
• Updated medical certificate if the expected date changes materially and HR requests it.

Article 32 does not state a universal number of advance-notice days in the text cited here. Send the certificate and request as early as practical under the employer's written procedure, and keep proof of delivery.

How to plan and request the leave

1. Confirm that the private-sector Labour Law applies to the employment.
2. Obtain the approved medical certificate with the expected delivery date.
3. Choose a proposed start date, remembering that the 60 days include both pre-delivery and post-delivery time.
4. Submit the certificate and leave dates to HR in writing.
5. State separately whether you want the additional 15 unpaid days.
6. Before returning, confirm the date and the nursing-break arrangement in writing.

The worker must not be employed during the first 40 days after delivery. Build the leave plan so the return date cannot fall inside that protected no-work period, even if the actual delivery date differs from the expected date.

Protection against dismissal

Article 33 says an employer must not dismiss a female worker or terminate her labour contract because of marriage or during maternity leave. Keep the leave request, medical certificate, approval, payroll record and any termination message.

This wording should be used precisely. It does not mean every termination involving a pregnant worker is automatically decided by Article 33 without examining the facts, timing and reason. If a dispute arises, record the employer's stated reason and obtain advice through the official Ministry route.

Unpaid childcare leave after maternity leave

Article 34 gives a female worker unpaid leave to care for a child who is not older than six. The leave can be up to six months each time and can be used three times during her service.

This is separate from the 15 unpaid maternity days in Article 32. A request should identify which legal leave is being used, the requested dates and the child's age. Keep the employer's written response.

Nursing and childcare breaks after return

Article 35 provides two daily care periods after maternity leave:

• Until the child reaches six months: two periods of at least one hour each.
• After six months and until the child reaches one year: two periods of half an hour each.
• The worker may combine the two periods.
• The periods count as working time and must not reduce wages.
• The employer sets the timing with regard to the worker's circumstances and the interests of work.

Agree the schedule in writing before returning. State whether the two periods will be taken separately or combined, and ask HR to confirm that the time will not be deducted from wages or recorded as absence.

If maternity leave or nursing time is refused

1. Ask HR for the decision and reason in writing.
2. Reply with the medical certificate, requested dates and the relevant statutory right.
3. Preserve payslips, attendance records and messages showing any deduction or absence mark.
4. Use the Ministry of Labour route that matches whether you are still employed.

A current private-sector worker with a valid work permit can follow our Bahrain labour complaint guide. A former worker or dismissal dispute may need the separate Settlement of Individual Dispute service.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is maternity leave in Bahrain?

For a worker covered by the private-sector Labour Law, the current entitlement is 60 days on full pay, including time before and after delivery.

Can I take extra maternity leave?

Yes. Article 32 allows an additional 15 days without pay.

Can I return to work before 40 days after birth?

No. Article 32 states that the worker must not be employed during the 40 days following delivery.

Is Bahrain maternity leave now 70 days?

The current consolidated law checked on 6 October 2026 still states 60 days. Do not treat a proposal as enacted law.

Are nursing breaks paid?

They count as working hours and must not cause a wage deduction under Article 35.