Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Saudi Arabia: First Female Public Prosecution Investigators Appointed

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

Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecutor has announced the first female Public Prosecution Investigators have been appointed. The Public Prosecutor made the announcement at their headquarters. More women are expected to be appointed as public prosecution investigations soon. These employees will have to undertake a full-year diploma course in criminology which includes academic studies and training in the relevant field. They will also have to visit agencies engaged in collecting evidence like forensic experts to find out more about these aspects of the cases.

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: Establishment of a Special Committee for Legal Claims Involving Meydan

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

According to international media reports, a special judicial committee will be established to hear legal claims involving Meydan. Meydan is a Government-owned developer. The media reports went on to say the Government suspended all claims against Meydan City Corporation in June as well as its subsidiaries and associated entities. According to the reports, Government insiders have said the Committee could be established this month and will hear and resolve all pending claims against Meydan in two years. It is estimated there are 40 claims to be heard.

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: The DIFC is Introducing an Employee Workplace Savings Scheme

11/08/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The DIFC has announced it has introduced an Employee Workplace Savings scheme. It will come into force in January 2020. Under the scheme, end-of-service benefits in the Centre will migrate from a defined benefit to a funded contribution plan. Employers will be able to opt-out of the scheme in certain circumstances, provided they have been provided with a qualifying alternative scheme certificate by the DIFC Registrar of Companies. The guidelines on this will be provided after 15 September.

A global trust services provider, Equiom will be the master trustee of the scheme, while Zurich Middle East has been appointed scheme administrator. Zurich will be assisted by Mercer as an investment adviser and Smart Pension as a technology services provider.

Ahead of the rollout a DEWS Supervisory Board will be established and its members will be representatives from the DIFC Authority, employer and employee representatives and non-affiliated individuals.

The Board will settle the DEWS trust and the scheme rules with the chosen service providers and oversee the continuing governance and commercial aspects of the scheme which are not subject to regulatory supervision. The regulatory aspects of the master trustee and scheme administrator’s duties will be overseen by the Dubai Financial Services Authority

News developments

Bahrain: Approval of a Financial Action Task Force-compliant Real Estate Decision

10/08/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Cabinet has approved a Financial Action Task Force-compliant real estate Decision. The Decision defines the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing procedure obligations of licensees in the real estate sector. The aim is to ensure they comply with the highest international practices, rules and standards. It has also been issued in line with recommendation from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs. The Cabinet also approved the National Risk Assessment Report and the Interim Action Plan for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and instructed all Ministries to enhance compliance with Financial Action Task Force standards and recommendations.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Decision to Saudise Jobs in the Hospitality Sector

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

Saudi Arabia’s Labour and Social Development Minister has issued a Decision to Saudise management and specialist jobs in the hospitality sector. It is expected to come into force on 29 December 2019. The Decision means 100% of reservation, purchase, marketing and front desk roles in three, four and five-star hotels, resorts, hotel suites and villas with a four-star or higher rating have to be filled by Saudi nationals. However, the Saudisation requirement does not apply to bellboy, parking valets, drivers or doormen roles. In addition, food and beverages supervisors, room service supervisors, event section supervisors and laundry supervisors should have at least one Saudi employee. At least 70% of sales manager and events and conference sales manager roles must also be filled by Saudi nationals.

News developments

Oman: Temporary Ban on Hiring Expats Extended to More Professions

04/08/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Ministry of Manpower has extended the temporary ban on hiring expats to four more professions in the private sector as part of the Omanisation strategy. The ban will be extended for another six months starting from 5 August 2019 and will be extended to certain professions in the fields of IT, accounting and finance, sales and marketing, management and human resources, insurance, media, the medical profession, airports, engineering, and roles that involve technicians. The ban was specified in Oman Ministerial Decision No. 73/2019.

News developments

UAE: New Work Permit Allowing Men Sponsored by a Family Member to Work

04/08/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE has a new work permit which allows men sponsored by a family member to work. While the General Directorate of Foreign Residency Affairs has previously allowed women working in professional jobs to sponsor their husband on a dependent visa, the husbands were not legally allowed to work. As a result women who had jobs in these categories often ended up living alone as sponsoring husbands who could not work was often an additional financial burden. This now looks likely to change.

News developments

Kuwait: Inspection Campaign Launched to Identify Violations to Safety Regulations

03/08/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD), Public Security Sector and Environment Public Authority have launched an inspection campaign to identify those violating safety regulations in the Qurain Market area. A number of warnings have been issued during the campaign, after violations of public safety were discovered in public markets and restaurants. Decisions will be issued to close down places where these violations could lead to serious dangers.

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: Changes Announced by the DIFC to Will Registration Rules for Non-Muslims

03/08/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The DIFC has announced changes to will registration rules for non-Muslims, which will now accommodate all resident and investor assets across the whole of the Emirates, and assets held outside the UAE which will be effective from 1 July 2019.

Those wishing to take advantage of this change will be able to amend existing wills registered with the courts free of charge until 31 August 2019. The Wills Service Centre is a joint initiative of the Government of Dubai and the DIFC Courts which gives non-Muslims living and investing in the UAE the option to pass on their assets and or appoint guardians for their children, in accordance with the instructions in their Will.

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: All Entreprises Registered in Saudi Arabia to Pay VAT

28/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The General Authority for Zakat and Income has confirmed that all enterprises registered to pay VAT, which have revenues from goods and services which exceed 40 million Riyals, should submit their tax return for June.

Enterprises with less than 40 million Riyals of revenues should submit their tax return for the second quarter of 2019 nine days after 31 July 2019.

However, the authority has stressed those with over the 40 million Riyals limit must submit their VAT return before the end of July 2019.