Dubai Launches 10-Day Paid Marriage Leave & Flexible Work Policies for Families

Dubai: Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Jumma Al Maktoum, the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has introduced the ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme.’

The main goal of this program is to provide support for family growth, safety, and well-being in Dubai. It offers financial, social, and educational help to make families stronger and promote a healthy balance between work and family life. This originality shows Her Highness's strong commitment to empowering Emirati families and helping them grow in a stable environment.

Building a Strong and Happy Society

She also added, “Strong families are key to a better future. We want to meet the needs of every Emirati family in Dubai, ensuring their happiness and stability while helping them raise the next generation who will shape a brighter future.”

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Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum shared that this program reflects the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to strengthen family bonds and position the family as the foundation of a unified society. It is in line with national goals to empower Emirati families, protect their values, and prepare them for challenges in the future.

A Supportive Package for Families

The ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme’ offers a complete support package for Emirati families, which includes:

Wedding support
Housing assistance
Flexible work policies
Social, financial, and housing education programs
This program aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to strengthen happy, connected families and double the number of Emirati families in the city by 2033.

Phase One Initiatives The first phase of the program includes a variety of important initiatives:

Flexible Work Benefits:

10-day paid marriage leave for government employees in Dubai.
Remote work option on Fridays for mothers during the first year after maternity leave.
Reduced Housing Loan Premiums (for Dubai Weddings program participants):
For those benefiting from the Dubai Weddings program, monthly premiums for housing loans will be reduced to Dh3,333 for families earning less than Dh30,000 per month.

Dubai Weddings Programme:
This program covers the cost of the main wedding ceremony and provides free wedding halls and neighborhood Majlises. It also offers financial support for both the bride and groom and provides discounts through the Esaad card. In its first year, 344 weddings were supported, making up 28.3% of all Emirati weddings in Dubai by the end of 2024. This helped boost Emirati weddings by 10.1% compared to the previous year.

Housing Support:
Families benefiting from the Dubai Weddings program will receive priority for ready-made housing options.

Training and Awareness Programmes:

‘Start it Right’ marital awareness program: This initiative helps young people prepare for married life by teaching essential life planning and emotional skills. Over 1,000 individuals have benefited, with 208 receiving financial help.

Financial literacy course: This course teaches couples who are about to marry how to manage money, save, create a budget, and avoid debt.

‘How to Build Your Home’ program: This program equips young people with the skills they need to build homes efficiently and affordably.

Future Plans

These benefits will apply to new members of the Dubai Weddings program starting from January 4, 2025. Those interested in housing benefits can apply within one year of joining the Dubai Weddings program.

All Emirati citizens in Dubai who are planning to marry can register for the Dubai Weddings program through the ‘Emirati’ platform on the Dubai Now app. More information can be found on the Community Development Authority's website or by calling them at 800 2121.

In the future, the program will expand to include more benefits in education, health, and other social services.