‘Newborn move’ to cut maternity leaves of expat teachers rapped

Many expat women teachers have expressed their resentment over the decision allegedly being implemented by the Education Ministry to reduce their maternity leaves from 40 days to one week.

Sources say the Ministry of Education has already issued the memo to secondary schools, while primary and middle schools have been avoided for now.

Tribune could not obtain a copy of the decision issued by the ministry. As per Civil Service laws, Bahraini women teachers are eligible to apply for 60 days maternity leave while receiving full salaries.

Even after completing their maternity leaves, the women employees are entitled for a “two-hour break” every day to breastfeed their babies.

According to medics a woman is generally not allowed to leave the hospital for the next five days if a Caesarean section is performed on her. Hence the decision also doesn’t comply with best medical practices.