Hannah Gutang, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

UAE: Part-time Work Permit Procedures

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Topics, 18 August 2024: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has listed seven procedures for the issuing of a part-time work permit.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has listed seven procedures for the issuing of a new work permit and a part-time work permit. Part time permits allow registered establishments to employ a worker under a part-time employment contract, where the worker’s hours or working days are less than their those of full-time counterparts. The worker can work for more than one employer after obtaining a permit from the Ministry.

First it is necessary to login to the electronic service their username or password or use their digital identity. The application must be through one of the service channels. The application must be electronically referred to the Ministry for verification the necessary conditions and documents are present.

If there are any issues the establishment will be notified of this.

If everything is correct, approval will be granted for issuing a part-time work permit. The contract will be approved electronically if the permit application is approved. Fees must be paid on issue of the approval.

The required documents include a clear coloured personal photograph with a white background, a copy of the passport including a valid residence visa, the approved job offer form issued by the Ministry and signed by the employer and the worker, an educational certificate (which is clear and bears the worker’s name; for skill levels 1 and 2, a university degree certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for skill levels 3 and 4, a diploma or higher certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for skill level 5, a general secondary school certificate certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for skill levels 6 to 9, no certificate is required). The worker is not considered skilled if the monthly salary is less than AED 4,000, and they have an educational certificate.

Other required documents include a professional license issued by the competent authority, for occupations such as a doctor or nurse (professional license issued by the Ministry of Health and Health Authority), and for teachers, or teaching assistants, a professional license issued by the Ministry of Education, Knowledge Authority in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, and Sharjah Private Education Authority).

The Ministry has set several conditions for obtaining a part-time work permit, including that the worker must be at least 18 years old, meet the requirements stipulated in the applicable legislation work in specialised professions or any other positions that require obtaining a professional license, the worker’s profession with the employer must be consistent with the establishment’s activity, the establishment’s license must be valid and have no violations that lead to the suspension of its activity according to legal regulations, the request for the permit must be submitted by the legally authorized signatory of the establishment, the worker must have a valid residence visa and a work permit issued by the Ministry. All skill levels and professions are allowed to obtain this type of permit based on the service’s specific conditions. Insurance or a bank guarantee is not required to issue the permit, and an electronic quota is not required to obtain a part-time work permit service.

The application process takes two working days, and the customer are notified of the result of the application upon completion. The customer can follow up on their application by accessing the inquiry services through one of these channels: the Ministry’s website, the MOHRE smart application, or the call centre 600590000. The permit is valid for one year.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Enforcement Action on Intellectual Property

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property has issued its annual report on the enforcement of intellectual property rights in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

The report showed that the Authority had received more than 2,680 complaints during 2023, including complaints related to copyright and trademark complaints across various sectors. This was a 50% increase in the total number of complaints compared to 2022. Trademark complaints increased by 73%, and copyright complaints increased by 30%. More than 1,000 inspection visits were carried out to commercial establishments in 42 cities and governorates within Saudi Arabia, based on complaints submitted by rights holders.

The Intellectual Property Authority is continuing to use its “Mystery Shopper” process, which contributes to the efficient enforcement of the intellectual property rights system. The enforcement team continuously monitors and surveys commercial and electronic markets, researches violations, in order to collect data on commercial establishments and provide the inspection team with information to target areas and sectors with inspection campaigns and awareness visits. The Mystery Shopper conducted more than 4,700 visits to over 70 commercial centre in 17 cities and governorates, and visited more than 6,000 websites and online stores.

The Authority revealed that 422 suspected shipments were handled, and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority reported that 60% of customs shipments violated intellectual property regulations and laws. Over 3.4 million products violating intellectual property regulations and laws across various commercial sectors were prevented from being cleared at border crossings.

In the digital space, the Authority has focused on enforcing intellectual property rights for digital content and e-commerce. The number of reported websites reached 4,545, with 81% of the reports involved websites displaying and downloading movies and TV series.

The Authority confirmed that more than 41 million products violating intellectual property rights were seized, more than 16.3 thousand infringing intellectual property content items were removed, and more than 3.4 thousand websites violating the law were blocked. 13,000 establishments were visited during complaint enforcement operations and field and electronic surveys.

During 2023, the Commercial Courts and the Committee for Considering Copyright Violations issued more than 270 judgments and decisions against intellectual property violators, with total fines of nearly 2.2 million Riyals levied.

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News developments

Qatar: MoECC Launches Programme to Assess Administrative Effectiveness of Protected Areas

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 15 August 2024: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has launched a program to evaluate the management effectiveness of protected areas in Sanea, Umm Al Amad, Laareeq, and Riffa.

The aim is to ensure compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity standards and develop integrated management plans.

The programme is developing a phased action strategy for protected areas that will extend over four years (2025-2028).

It also includes training the national team responsible for planning and managing these areas and involving them in-field evaluation.

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News developments

Oman: Financial and Administrative Control Authority Issues Warning

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Shabiba, 15 August 2024: The State Financial and Administrative Control Authority has warned that there is no website other than their official website which was stated in a statement the Authority issue.

In addition, the Authority has stressed that it has no accounts on the social media platform other than those which are affiliated with the Authority which were also stated in the statement.

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News developments

Kuwait: New Regulations for Foreign Investors

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 18 August 2024: The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) has introduced regulations to streamline the process for foreign investors who wish to benefit from investment incentives and exemptions there.

The decision outlines the criteria and procedures for investment entities looking to capitalise on benefits under Kuwait Law No. 116/2013.

Investors must apply for an investment licence to access these benefits.

The application must meet the criteria set by KDIPA’s evaluation mechanism, which assesses the eligibility for these benefits and exemptions.

Investment entities licensed under Kuwait Law No. 116/2013 which have at least one year of operational experience, are eligible to request the benefits and exemptions.

These entities must follow the Authority’s evaluation criteria, submit periodic reports that demonstrate adherence to their work plans and provide a comprehensive business plan detailing their past achievements and future objectives.

Benefits apply from the date of application, provided that all required documentation and fees have been submitted. However, the exemption does not cover taxes and customs duties that have already been paid.

Article 3 of the decision outlines special provisions for entities seeking benefits either at the time of or after they have obtained an investment licence.

It clarifies that exemptions will not apply to existing contracts or projects which have bids submitted before the application date, even if these contracts or projects are subsequently transferred to another entity.

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News developments

Dubai: RTA Update Rules for Outdoor Advertising

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 15 August 2024: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has released an updated manual governing outdoor advertising across the city

The 112-page Out-of-Home (OOH) Advertising Manual which has been issued in collaboration with Dubai Municipality and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism covers areas including the types of images, measurements, lighting, dimensions, locations, which can be used for outdoor advertising.

Signages must not obstruct building facilities and emergency exits. The required clearance area will be determined according to the type and capacity of escapes from exits.

Signs should be oriented in a way that does not create headlight reflections in a driver’s line of sight. It is advised advertisers angle a sign five degrees away from right angle to the driver’s line of sight to minimise headlight reflections.

Signage or signage structure must not protrude onto road carriageways or paved parking surfaces..

All freestanding signage within row must not overhang over the road carriageway, and should be setback from the carriageway at a reasonably safe distance. There must also be a reasonably safe vertical clearance from the level of the carriageway or footpath.

Certain freestanding signs must be setback at a reasonable distance from traffic signals.

Advertisements must not imitate a traffic control device such as traffic lights.

Certain freestanding large and medium advertisements (such as unipole or megacoms) must not have dominant colours that compete with the colour of large traffic signs (including directional, tourist and information signs)/ Advertisements must not contain reflectors, which could be mistaken for a traffic control device at night.

Advertisements should not contain messages that are distracting or otherwise inconsistent with road safety.

They should also be legible and a clear font of at least 150mm high is advisable.

Advertisements should not contain large areas of red display if they are illuminated as in wet, night-time conditions these could be confused with traffic lights or vehicle lights.

Finally, video and animated signs, including any signs which contain any portion of video and/or animated content, will not be approved on road reserves or if they are visible to drivers.

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News developments

Bahrain: Housing Policy Changes

22/08/202422/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 20 August 2024: A number of new changes to housing policy in Bahrain have been introduced including the lifting of wives using inherited property for benefits.

In addition, there will be a new streamlined property allocation process and a shift in income assessments to the nomination stage rather than the allocation stage as was previously the case. The Cabinet has approved the revised housing regulations. As result of a new rule children over 21 will not be considered if the applicant is a widow or divorcee with minor children. The amendments have been made to Bahrain Decision No. 909/2015.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Official Rental Index

22/08/202429/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 20 August 2024: Abu Dhabi has launched its first official rental index for the capital,

The index has been launched by the capital’s real estate sector regulator, Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

The platform serves both tenants and landlords, and is designed to increase market transparency, provide indicative rental values, and help support the stability of Abu Dhabi’s growing real estate market.

It will provide indicative quarterly rental pricing for properties located in areas across the city. Residents will be able to get easy access to reliable data on residential, commercial and industrial properties.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Tadawul Suspends Trading for Companies Failing to Disclose Financial Statements

15/08/202415/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Al-Eqtisadiya, 12 August 2024: The Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) has temporarily suspended trading in the shares of three companies.

This action was taken due to the companies’ failure to announce their financial statements for the period ending on 30 June 2024.

The announcement was required within the regular timeframe specified by the Capital Market Authority’s rules for securities offerings and ongoing obligations.

The affected companies are Food Development Business, Saudi Industrial Exports, and Al-Naifat Finance Company.

Tadawul has announced the suspension in a statement, citing its powers stipulated in the listing rules and procedures for suspending trading of listed securities.

Trading in the shares of these companies was halted for one trading session.

However, Tadawul has granted a grace period of twenty trading sessions commencing from the 6 August 2024 session, during which the companies must publish their financial statements before the deadline of 9 September 2024.

Tadawul has emphasised that if any of the companies fail to announce their financial statements within the specified period, trading in their respective shares will be suspended again, effective 10 September 2024, until they comply with the disclosure requirements.

The suspension underscores Tadawul’s commitment to maintaining transparency and upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.

By enforcing strict compliance with disclosure regulations, the stock exchange aims to protect investors’ interests and ensure a fair and efficient trading environment.

Market participants and investors are advised to closely monitor the situation and stay updated on any developments regarding the affected companies’ financial reporting.

Timely disclosure of financial statements is crucial for making informed investment decisions and maintaining market integrity.

Tadawul’s decisive action serves as a reminder to listed companies of their obligations to provide accurate and timely financial information, enabling investors to make well-informed decisions and fostering confidence in the Saudi capital market.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Qatar: CRA Launches Public Consultations on Postal Services Licences

15/08/202415/08/2024
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 13 August 2024: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has invited all stakeholders interested in the postal sector to participate in public consultations on the draft licences for providing postal services.

The consultations aim to create a transparent and fair legal and regulatory environment.

CRA has issued three draft licences for public consultation, which include the Postal Service Licence for Qatar Postal Services Company, Courier Licence for Domestic Services, and Courier Licence for International Services.

CRA stated that these consultations represent an opportunity to open the postal market in Qatar and increase competition.

They also aim to support growth, enhance the business environment and innovation, and improve the quality of postal services provided, thereby boosting e-commerce and the digital economy.

These efforts align with international developments, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and Universal Postal Union (UPU) recommendations, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, and the Digital Agenda 2030.

The public consultations aim to understand the needs of all concerned and interested parties and consider them in an organised and transparent manner, allowing CRA to better regulate the postal sector and improve the quality of services provided.

In July 2024, CRA had hosted a successful workshop focused on enhancing the postal services complaint handling process, thus enhancing transparency and quality of service.

Additionally, in line with the efforts to open the postal sector for competition, CRA will hold another workshop in September 2024 to discuss the feedback and comments received from concerned and interested parties regarding the postal services licences.

CRA will be issuing further regulations regarding the postal sector for public consultation later, including postal licence applications, licence fees, the definition of reserved services and universal services, consumer protection and complaints, resolving disputes, and quality of service.

Interested parties and stakeholders in the postal services sector can submit their feedback and comments via email by 29 August 2024.

The new Law Regulating Postal Services empowers CRA to regulate the sector, set licensing conditions, protect consumer rights, and ensure fair competition.

It also aims to improve service quality, expand consumer choices, and create opportunities for both local and international postal Service Providers.

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