First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has welcomed the recent amendment to the Employment Act extending childcare time-off for employees until their child reaches two years of age.

In a post shared on her X account, the First Lady described the amendment as an important step in supporting working mothers to balance their professional and family responsibilities. She noted that the change would also promote maternal health and enable continued breastfeeding, contributing to global nutrition targets set by the World Health Organization.

The Ninth Amendment to the Employment Act was ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on 14 March 2026 after it was passed by the People’s Majlis on 8 March 2026.

A central feature of the revised legislation is the doubling of the eligibility period for childcare leave. Previously, employees were entitled to take time off for childcare only until their child turned one year old; under the new provision, this entitlement remains in effect from the date an employee returns from maternity leave until the child reaches the age of two