6 new measures to protect women in “private”… the most prominent of which is assessing the risks of pregnant women within 5 days

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued a new decision that includes six obligations on employers in the private sector, to enhance the protection of working women within the occupational health and safety system, to provide a safe work environment that takes into account women’s health and physical needs, especially during the periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding, and to reduce occupational risks that may affect their health or reproductive health.

The decision, which was reviewed by Emirates Today, obligated employers to conduct a risk assessment specifically for pregnant or breastfeeding women within five working days from the date of notification, identifying factors or working conditions that may affect pregnancy, breastfeeding or reproductive health, and taking the necessary preventive measures regarding them, in addition to modifying working conditions or temporarily assigning them to alternative and safe tasks commensurate with their health condition without prejudice to their wages or job rights.

In detail, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued Administrative Resolution No. (10) of 2026, amending some provisions of Administrative Resolution No. (19) of 2023 regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Procedures Manual.

The decision stipulated the addition of a new article entitled “Safety of Working Women,” which included six main obligations and procedures, aimed at providing a safer working environment for female workers, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women, and reducing occupational risks that may affect their health or reproductive health.

The obligations included “the employer’s obligation to provide personal protective equipment appropriate to the nature of the work, taking into account the workers’ physical differences, while providing appropriate equipment or sizes for pregnant women whenever the nature of the work requires it, in a way that achieves effective protection and reduces occupational risks. In the event that the worker notifies the employer of her pregnancy, or of a breastfeeding period that requires special arrangements, the employer is obligated to conduct an individual risk assessment tailored to her condition without delay, and not to exceed five working days from the date of notification, and to review this assessment regularly according to the developments of the condition or the stages of the pregnancy.” Or based on medical recommendations issued by the treating medical authority.”

The obligations also included “the employer’s obligation, whenever necessary and based on a risk assessment or recommendations issued by an accredited medical authority, to take appropriate measures to protect the pregnant or breastfeeding worker, including modifying working conditions or temporarily assigning her to alternative, safe tasks commensurate with her health condition, without prejudice to her wages or her established rights. The risk assessment takes into account identifying materials, factors, or working conditions that may affect pregnancy, breastfeeding, or reproductive health, and taking appropriate preventive measures regarding them.”

It also stipulates that “the employer is committed to including awareness of occupational risks related to the health of working women within awareness and training programs related to occupational health and safety, and considerations related to the safety of working women are taken into account within the inspection and guidance tools related to occupational health and safety approved by the Ministry.”

The decision comes within the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation aimed at developing the occupational health and safety system, enhancing the protection granted to working women, and providing safer and more sustainable work environments that are compatible with best practices and internationally approved standards.

• Procedures include identifying factors or working conditions that may affect pregnancy, breastfeeding, or reproductive health, and taking the necessary preventive measures regarding them.