The Deputy Chairman of Oman’s Shoura Council, Mohammed Al Ghassani has suggested Oman is considering plans to allow foreigners to buy property outside of integrated tourism complexes if they meet certain conditions. The aim would be to boost the housing market and the economy. Foreigners can currently only buy property in defined tourism communities.
This week the spotlight is on legal and regulatory developments in the UAE, where the Chairwoman of the Social Affairs, Work, Residents and Human Resources Committee at the Federal Supreme Council, Azza Suliman has announced the most prominent features of the new federal law related to supporting domestic workers. Suliman confirmed the workers will get one day a week holiday and will have the right to keep their official documents like passports. They will also be given daily rest breaks and will be entitled to 30 days leave. Suliman added the committee has proposed a new insurance system against injuries which may be sustained by supporting workers.
Elsewhere, the Chairman of the board of directors of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahd has confirmed the UAE will begin limiting the percentage of dangerous substances used in the assembling of electronic and electoral devices early next year. Fahd added the Council of Ministers has issued a binding Decision related to the supervision of the percentage of dangerous substances in these devices. The Decision requests importers of these devices to consider the new standards which should be followed in the making of these devices. Administrative Decision No. 10/2017 encourages the clean manufacturing and the use of less harmful chemical substances.
Egypt’s Government is considering new social media curbs. If approved, users in the country would have to register with the Government to access social media sites including Twitter and Facebook. If their registration was successful they would receive a login which would be linked to their national ID. Unauthorised use of social media could result in violators being jailed and fined.
The UAE’s Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology has approved new regulations on the commercial and recreational use of drones in the country, including the free zones. The new rules include a surveillance system for detecting unmanned aerial vehicles in the country. The regulations are aimed at establishing a central system to monitor any drone activity in the UAE. Manufacturers will have to use a mandatory serial number. The regulations have been developed with the General Civil Aviation Administration, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Federal Customs Authority, Interior Ministry and Dubai Police General Command.
Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority has announced it will start issuing two types of flexible work permits for expatriates. 2000 flexi-work permits and hospitality work permits will be issued monthly. They will both be valid for two years. The hospitality work permits will be for those working in restaurants, hotels, salons and other professions requiring special medical tests. Those who obtain the flexi-work permits will be issued with a special card featuring the worker’s photo, data, type of permit and its validity period.
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