International Labour Organization (17.07.2024) Oman has launched the implementation of new social insurance maternity benefits that are set to significantly improve labour market opportunities for women in the Sultanate. The new scheme is part of ambitious and wide-ranging social protection reforms in Oman, developed with the support of the ILO and adopted in July 2023. It improves and expands maternity benefits for mothers employed in full-time jobs and includes a provision for paternity leave. The system is in line with key requirements of ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183), including through covering migrant workers alongside nationals. Earlier this month, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also announced legislation that will establish a similar maternity insurance system. “The introduction of the parental leave branch under the Social Protection Law is not only aimed at increasing women's participation in the workforce but also at improving the well-being of families and ensuring the future prosperity of our nation,” said Fasil Al-Farsi, CEO of the Social Protection Fund. "Ensuring close alignment with national objectives, international social security standards of the International Labour Organization, and best global practices are guiding principles of all social protection reforms in Oman,” he added. The new scheme provides Omani and non-Omani mothers who are in full-time employment with longer, fully paid maternity leave, equal to 14 weeks as consistent with the requirements of ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183). It also includes the option of unpaid, job-protected leave for up to 98 additional days, which can be shared between father and mother. In order to avoid negatively impacting women’s future pension entitlements, the Social Protection Fund will cover the cost of pension contributions during maternity leave.