Tanya Jain, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: New Human Resources Regulation to Streamline Policies

22/05/202522/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Mubasher, 19 May 2025: Bahrain Decision No. 29/2025 has been issued establishing a new framework for shared human resources services.

This regulation was proposed by the Civil Service Bureau to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in government operations, impacting government entities by standardising human resources practices, including on recruitment, promotions, transfers, and performance management. It mandates the transfer of HR personnel to the Civil Service Bureau, except for department directors, who will be transferred by the Bureau’s president in coordination with the relevant government authority.

Key provisions include the rotation of HR managers and department heads, restrictions on reassignments within the same government entity, and the delegation of HR tasks to government bodies with Bureau approval. The regulation also outlines procedures for seconding HR staff to government entities, managing their employment terms, and ensuring compliance with civil service rules.

The decision obliges government entities to manage HR-related expenses within their budgets, coordinate training and development programmes, and provide necessary resources for HR staff. It also establishes guidelines for performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures.

For full story, click here.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Abu Dhabi: ADGM Proposes Consumer Protection Regulations for Retail Sector

22/05/202522/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

ADGM, 15 May 2025: The ADGM Registration Authority (RA) has published Consultation Paper No. 4/2025, detailing the proposed Consumer Protection Regulations for ‘Category C’ retail activities within the ADGM jurisdiction.

This initiative was launched in response to ADGM’s expansion to Al Reem Island and the significant presence of retail licence holders, which has necessitated a robust consumer protection framework. The proposed regulations are designed to safeguard consumer interests and ensure a reliable retail market economy. They impose specific obligations on retail providers, including product labelling, usage instructions, and the requirement to seek Registrar approval for promotions. Retailers must disclose the condition of used or refurbished products at sale, avoid misleading advertisements, and refrain from harmful contract terms. The regulations also require product warranties and procedures for handling defective products.

The RA’s proposals includes establishing a consumer complaint handling channel and empowering the Registrar to assess complaints, issue determinations, and impose financial penalties for regulatory breaches. These measures aim to reinforce consumer confidence and ensure fair practices in the retail sector.

The consultation period for the proposed regulations ends on 8 June 2025.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Dubai: Enforces New Compliance Rules for Digital Asset Firms

21/05/202522/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

AInvest, 19 May 2025: Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a directive requiring licensed digital asset companies to comply with updated activity-based Rulebooks by 19 June 2025 following the release of Version 2.0 on 19 May 2025.

This update aims to strengthen market integrity and risk oversight by refining controls around margin trading and token distribution services, harmonising compliance requirements, and clarifying definitions for collateral wallet arrangements. It impacts all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) operating within Dubai, obliging them to align with the new rules after a 30-day transition period. VARA has emphasised the importance of this transition period to facilitate adaptation to the updated regulations.

The updated Rulebooks will enhance supervisory mechanisms across various regulated activities, including advisory, broker-dealer, custody, exchange, lending and borrowing, virtual asset management and investment, and VA transfer and settlement services. Key operational terms such as “client assets,” “qualified custodians,” and “collateral requirements” have been defined to ensure consistency and reduce ambiguity in compliance.

In margin trading, VARA tightened leverage thresholds and mandated clearer collateralisation standards to mitigate risks associated with market downturns. The Rulebooks also introduced new token distribution regulations, outlining licensing prerequisites, investor protections, and marketing restrictions, particularly for retail-facing offers.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Amends GCC Customs Tariff Schedule to Revise Duties on Select Products

21/05/202521/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Saudi Gazette, 17 May 2025: The Saudi Ministry of Finance approved several amendments to the Integrated Customs Tariff Schedule for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

These amendments are set to take effect on 6 October 2025 and involve the imposition of revised duties on certain product categories, impacting importers and businesses dealing with products such as natural honey and chemical compounds. The revised tariff schedule includes a 5 percent customs duty on natural honey, including Manuka honey and other types, whether filtered or containing wax pieces. Additionally, a 2 percent duty was imposed on various chemicals, including acetophenone and benzophenone, while a 52 percent duty was applied to compounds like methyl naphthyl ketone.

The amendments also addressed the description and labeling of goods, correcting formal errors in the tariff schedules. Notably, a 5 percent duty was introduced for fresh fatty livers, and several types of frozen fish were renamed with a unified duty rate of 5 percent. Furthermore, Indian betel leaf was included in the customs tariff, while the import of khat was explicitly prohibited under the “other plants” section.

These legal changes align the tariff schedule with the decisions of the GCC countries, ensuring consistency and compliance across member states.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

UAE: Securities Authority Imposes Disciplinary Actions for Market Violations

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Mubasher, 6 May 2025: The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has issued a financial penalty of AED 100,000 to an investor for engaging in pre-emptive trading activities.

The relevant regulation governs trading, clearing, settlement, transfer of ownership, and custody of securities.

In a separate disciplinary action, the SCA revoked a preliminary approval of an employee holding the position of “Promotion Manager” at a licensed company. The revocation followed the employee’s proven misconduct during an examination on the UAE’s financial systems and regulations.

For full story, click here.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Directory for Occupational Safety and Health Standards

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Saudi Gazette, 4 May 2025: The Saudi General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI) has launched a comprehensive directory for occupational safety and health standards.

This initiative, unveiled at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference 2025 in Riyadh, impacts specialists, establishments, and relevant entities across the Kingdom, providing a unified reference to enhance workplace safety and health standards.

The directory, developed based on international best practices, will provide guidance for employers, workers, and inspectors, offering clear preventive standards to mitigate workplace injuries and occupational hazards. It covers over 4,500 standards across six main sectors: public industries, construction, agriculture, maritime activities, transport, and mining. Additionally, there is a detailed classification of more than 70 sectors aligned with the national directory of economic activities.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Sharjah: Law to Regulate Judicial Authority

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Mubasher, 6 May 2025: The Ruler of Sharjah has approved a draft law on the organization of the judicial authority in the emirate.

The law outlines the formation of the Judicial Council, which includes key judicial figures such as the President of the Judicial Department, the Head of the Legal Department of the Sharjah Government, and the Attorney General, among others. The council is tasked with ensuring the independence, integrity, and neutrality of the judiciary, aligning with the emirate’s vision for a developed judicial system.

Key responsibilities of the council include setting general policies, proposing and reviewing legislation related to the judiciary, overseeing judicial operations, and organising restorative justice. The council will also handle appointments, promotions, and retirements of judicial members, ensuring adherence to legal standards.

The law mandates the creation of a judicial code of conduct and allows for the outsourcing and privatization of judicial services, with specific regulations and fees. It also requires the preparation of an annual report on judicial achievements and challenges, submitted to the Ruler.

For full story, click here.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Qatar: MECC Releases Second Edition of Corporate Environmental Sustainability Book

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

The Peninsula, 30 April 2025: The Qatari Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) has issued the second edition of the “Corporate Environmental Sustainability: Reports and Achievements” book.

This shows s the growing commitment of Qatari companies to adopt sustainable environmental practices.

The MECC has launched several policies and initiatives which are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting renewable energy. These efforts have been complemented by awareness programmes designed to foster a culture of sustainability within the community. The Ministry has also been focused on developing specialist guidelines for key sectors including oil and gas, finance, education, and transportation, to encourage responsible environmental practices.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Oman: VAT Regulations Amended to Include Armed Forces Refunds

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Gulf News, 5 May 2025: Oman’s Tax Authority has announced an amendment to VAT regulations Oman Decision No. 53/2021, allowing the country’s armed and security forces to claim VAT refunds on specific purchases under Oman Decision No. 81/2025.

This amendment allows the armed forces to claim VAT refunds on purchases related to military operations, including equipment, weapons, ammunition, transport vehicles, spare parts, and accessories.

The decision broadens the scope of VAT refund eligibility, initially established in 2020, to now encompass six categories of entities, including all sectors of the armed and security forces. Under the new rules, these entities are entitled to submit VAT refund applications every three months, provided the claim amount is at least OR15.

Each application must be accompanied by the relevant tax invoice or simplified tax invoice and proof of payment from the applicant’s bank account. The Tax Authority must respond to each request within 30 days of receiving the complete documentation. If no response is given, the request is automatically considered rejected. Approved refunds must be processed and returned to the applicant within 15 days.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Kuwait: Civil Service Commission Automates Job Status Amendment Procedures

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Khaligyoun, 30 April 2025: The Kuwait Civil Service Commission has announced the automation of job status amendment procedures.

This initiative has been launched to simplify procedures and expedite transaction completion between the employee’s workplace and the relevant departments within the Commission. The automation process will begin with the submission of requests by the employee’s workplace through the system, followed by review and approval by the relevant Civil Service Commission department.

The automation of procedures are part of a broader initiative towards a “paperless Commission,” complementing existing systems for appointments, external transfers, experience calculation, job title changes, and end-of-service settlements.

For full story, click here.

For more news and content, try Lexis Middle East. Click on lexis.ae/demo to begin your free trial of Lexis® Middle East platform.

You can also explore the legal landscape by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.