Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Weekly Spotlight: Statements on the New UAE Government Emiratisation Plan

15/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Recently, with the announcement of Sheikh Mohammed of the new Government plan which included the need to focus on Emiratisation there have been a number of statements made on this issue. Speaking at a meeting to implement the plan, the Deputy Prime Minister, stated that some institutions have been ‘manipulating’ Emiratisation figures and jeopardising the country’s stability in the process. He has added a new way of thinking and a new vision is needed in this area. There will also be greater scrutiny of institutions who are manipulating Emiratisation figures. In addition, the Ruler of Sharjah has announced a new Emiratisation Department will be set up in that Emirate which will be responsible for the hiring of Emiratis in the private sector. In addition, private sector employers with Emirati employees will have to deposit their salaries with the Government who will then pass the money on to Emirati employees after having made sure those salaries match equivalents in the public sector.

News developments

Qatar: E-Signatures Authorised for Sick Leave Certificates

14/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

In Qatar, sick leave certificates issued by Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corp (PHCC) have been changed and will no longer require the signature of the physician or e stamp of the health facility which issued them. Instead the certificates will be issued electronically with an e-signature and barcode. The system will be implemented initially at government health facilities only. Private health facilities, will continue to issue sick leave certificates which are signed and stamped in the usual way. These certificates could be issued to HMC and PHCC employees, students and employees of all organisations and entities.

News developments

Bahrain: Deputy King Instructs Change on Utility Bills

14/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Deputy King has directed EWA to continue reissuing water and electricity bills for Bahraini citizens at their primary residence account. He has also instructed government departments to ensure the accuracy of services provided. As a result bills will be issued in September, October and November based on last year’s bill if that is lower. The Directive was given as the Deputy King met with the National Audit Office where a report on the accuracy of bills for the previous three months was presented. Recalculations of bills at that time were needed. The Deputy King has also directed EWA to reform its billing system.

News developments

Oman: Employers Told to Use E-Visa Scheme

13/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to educate businesses on the benefits of registering their workers through the e-visa system. According to ROP officials, the work e-visa will be launched soon. There will be no need for those who apply for the e-visa to visit service outlets at the Directorate General of Passports and Residence. To sign up for an e-visa, visit www.evisa.rop.gov.com

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: Open Letter Explaining Legislative and Regulatory Priorities in Dubai

08/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

This week, Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, issued an open letter to citizens and residents explaining legislative and regulatory priorities. These included taking a firm stance on Emiratisation, placing controls on property development and ensuring the countries reputation was not damaged by use of social media. As a result, the Cabinet has instructed the National Media Council to control social media sites and ordered the Government Communication Office of the General Secretariat of the Cabinet to monitor live news and social media feeds. In addition, following on from this open letter, Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai has instructed the General Secretariat of the Executive Council to lead efforts on Emiratisation and has given them a deadline of two weeks to issue a plan with initiatives.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Saudi Visa Scheme on the Way

07/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

According to Okaz Saudi Arabia is putting the final touches to a “game changing” initiative to attract international tourists, with a visa scheme which will allow visitors to come to the Kingdom from up to 50 countries. Although not officially confirmed a government an event to showcase Saudi tourist attractions is to take place on 27 September and it is expected the formal launch will happen then. According to Okaz the visas will cost 440 Riyals and last 90-days. It has also been said tourists will be able to apply for these visas online or on arrival in the country.

News developments

Oman: MoCI to Implement Specifications on Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

07/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) will start to implement the GSO 1943/2016 specification on cosmetics and personal care products as an Omani specification, by the end of January 2020. The specification will come into effect at the end of the six-month period that was previously granted after the issue of Oman Ministerial Decision No 128/2019 on the same specification on 28 July 2019. Shaima bint Khamees al Baluchi, a chemical products quality control specialist at the Directorate General of Standards and Specifications at MoCI, has said the decision has resulted from the increase in manufacturing and importing of cosmetics and personal care products in the country. The aim is to make sure all these products are safe for human use. The specification will require a number of criteria to be followed to ensure the safety of beauty, cosmetics and personal care products. It has also been stated the properties of products should not change while they are in storage or while in use, and they should be labelled to show all ingredients they contain.

News developments

Nurseries Department to be Established in the Kuwait Ministry of Social Affairs

07/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Social Affairs Ministry has announced a new Nurseries department will be established in the Ministry to manage and deal with the burgeoning number of nurseries in the country. The Deputy Undersecretary of Social Development and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Family Affairs has said no new licenses will be issued until the new department is established. In addition, when a new license is issued new rules will be added or amended. A Ministerial Decision to this effect has recently been issued and was approved by the Civil Service Committee. Originally the Education Ministry was going to have responsibility for nurseries under a Decision but this was rejected. Under the new Decision, the Mother and Childhood Department will be replaced.

News developments

Kuwait: New Technical Committee Established to Review the Use of Anaesthetics

04/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Health Minister has announced a technical committee has been established to review patient safety procedures involving the use of anaesthetics during surgery and dental procedures. The announcement was made in a Ministerial Decision. It follows the death of a child at a dental clinic after they were given local anaesthetic during treatment. The committee will be led by the Ministry’s Undersecretary for technical affairs as well as the chairman of the anaesthesia departments’ council, the head of the anaesthesia college at Kuwait’s Institute for Medical Specialities, the director of quality and approval, the director of drugs registration and supervision, the director of dental medicine department and a senior legal specialist. It will review procedures and local and general anaesthetic policies in hospitals, specialist centres and clinics and will follow new internationals standards in anaesthesia. It will have one month to complete its work and will then submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Health Minister.

News developments

Oman: Workshop Discussing the Establishment of a Special Economic Zone in Musandam

04/09/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organised a workshop to address the importance of establishing a special economic zone in the Governorate of Musandam. The workshop considered the exceptional business environment of this governorate and looked at required incentives for activating economic activities and mechanism for creating more opportunities for job seekers. The initial suggestions provided by the majority of participants included the need for establishing free markets, commercial spaces, technology parks and other activities under the umbrella of the proposed special economic zone.