Newsletter Archives - LexisNexis Middle East

Lexis Middle East HR Alert – March 2026

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

In this edition of Lexis Middle East HR Alert – March 2026, we highlight key legal developments, regulatory updates, and practical HR considerations shaping employment practices across the region. From evolving approaches to employment claims in the UAE to new health and safety frameworks in Saudi Arabia, this issue provides focused insights to help organisations remain compliant and prepared.

As workforce dynamics continue to shift and governments introduce new initiatives to support economic growth and workforce development, employers must balance opportunity with risk. Our contributors explore how to safeguard training investments, manage immigration changes, and respond to increasing litigation trends, offering clear and actionable guidance.

Stay up to date with Lexis Middle East HR Alert — your reliable source for HR and employment law developments across the Middle East.

Happy reading!

FEATURE: THE RIGHT TIME

Asim Ahmed and Ahmed Labib of BSA LAW analyse how recent legal changes and court rulings have impacted limitation periods for employment claims in the UAE.

TREND SETTER: TRAINING SUPPORT

Hashem Alahdal of BSA LAW outlines how employers can protect their investment in employee training amid growing government support initiatives.

NEWS ROUND-UP: COVERING RECENT KEY DEVELOPMENTS – REGION-WIDE

A concise overview of key HR and legal developments from across the region, including updates on Kuwait’s freelance work visa and other regulatory changes impacting employers.

IMMIGRATION FOCUS: RECENT GCC IMMIGRATION AND VISA CHANGES

Sponsored by Vialto Partners, this section reviews key regional updates, including Qatar’s self-sponsored visa developments.

IMMIGRATION FOCUS: PRE-PLANNING FOR HAJJ SEASON

Adel Moumen of Vialto Partners Middle East looks at two concurrent developments which are impacting short term business travel to Saudi.

LAW CHANGES: NEW AND PROPOSED MENA LAWS

Dr. Sairah Narmah-Alqasim of Pinsent Masons reviews Saudi Arabia’s new national health and safety framework under Ministerial Decision No. 64762/1447.

MOVES AND CHANGES

A regional overview of the latest executive movements, leadership appointments, and HR leadership changes across key industries.

Enrich your understanding of the HR landscape and stay up-to-date with the latest trends, cases, and policies through the latest issue of Lexis Middle East – HR Alert.

For all the latest industry updates and developments, opt for a free HR Alert subscription!

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LMHRA_2026_02_Mar_ePDF

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East HR Alert – previous editions? Click the links below to access and read these editions.

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_May 2025

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_July 2025

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_January 2025

HR PROFILE: A CHANGE IN APPROACH

Natalie Jones of Mishcon de Reya shares insights on employers’ growing willingness to pursue litigation and its impact on HR strategy.

POLICY POINTERS: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Bassem Ehab of Habib Al Mulla and Partners provides practical guidance on managing conflicts of interest in the workplace.

UAE: CMA Issues Comprehensive Virtual-Assets Regulatory Framework

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The National, 13 April 2026: The UAE’s Capital Market Authority has issued a robust Virtual Assets Framework, establishing a specialised regulatory regime governing the virtual-asset sector.

The framework consists of five core modules:

General Requirements – overarching obligations for virtual-asset providers.
Conduct of Business – licensing, governance, compliance and risk-management rules.
Alternative Trading System (ATS) – dedicated governance for trading platforms, covering virtual and tokenised securities.
Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) – targeted safeguards.
Prudential Requirements – capital adequacy, client protection and operational resilience.

The framework expands regulated activities from three to eight, including:

Dealing in virtual assets as principal
Dealing in virtual assets as agent
Providing custody
Arranging custody
Arranging investment deals
Providing investment advice
Portfolio management
Operating a multilateral trading facility

A dedicated ATS module now regulates trading venues for virtual assets and tokenised securities, reflecting market convergence and evolving business models.

The CMA emphasised that the framework enhances investor protection, market integrity, and innovation, aligning with IOSCO and FATF standards, and upholding the principle: “same activity, same risk, same regulatory outcome”

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Saudi Arabia: HR Ministry Begins Phase Two of Enforceable Contracts Initiative

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Gazette, 8 April 2026: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has commenced the second phase of making notarised employment contracts legally enforceable, expanding direct wage enforcement rights for workers under fixed-term agreements.

The initiative had been introduced after labour authorities had identified persistent delays and inefficiencies in resolving wage disputes through traditional court procedures. Previously, employees were required to pursue lengthy administrative and judicial routes to claim unpaid salaries.

In the second phase, fixed-term contracts are now eligible to be treated as enforceable documents once updated or renewed. Employers and employees must notarise or update relevant contracts via the Qiwa platform and obtain an enforcement number from the Ministry of Justice’s Documentation Center.

If an employee has not received full wages within 30 days of the due date, or only partial wages after 90 days, they can file an enforcement request through the Najiz platform. The employer then has five days to raise an objection before enforcement action begins. This avoids traditional court filings and accelerates recovery of due wages.

Background: the first phase, launched in October 2025, already allowed newly notarised contracts to be directly enforceable. The third phase will extend the regime to open-ended contracts, completing the rollout.

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Qatar: Full Maritime Traffic Resumes Amid Security Controls

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 April 2026: Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has reinstated full maritime traffic for all vessels from Sunday, 12 April 2026, operating daily from 6 am to 6 pm, while licensed fishing boats may continue around the clock.

The resumption follows a phased return after operators had previously restricted vessel movements to mitigate regional tensions. Under the updated directive, all vessel types can now navigate Qatari territorial waters within set hours. Licensed fishing vessels continue to enjoy 24/7 passage.

Vessels must comply with safety regulations: operators are required to verify safety and security equipment prior to and during voyages. Authorities also cautioned against unjustified price increases, warning that surcharges during the transition would be monitored under commercial and maritime laws.

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Oman: Ministry Enacts Unified IT Risk‑Management Policy for Government

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 8 April 2026: Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has issued a mandatory IT Risk Management Policy applicable to all government agencies, aimed at strengthening cyber resilience and protecting public digital assets.

The policy was introduced after the Ministry identified inconsistent IT risk oversight across government units. Previously, entities operated under fragmented practices, leading to varied levels of preparedness and potential vulnerabilities.

Under the new framework, all units of the State’s administrative apparatus—including contractors and IT service providers—must integrate IT risk management into their core operations. The policy requires entities to maintain documented risk registers, regularly conduct risk assessments, establish incident‑response and risk‑treatment plans, escalate high‑impact risks to senior leadership, and embed risk clauses in IT contracts.

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Kuwait: New Decree Tightens Citizenship Rules and Expands Revocation Powers

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 13 April 2026: Kuwait has enacted Kuwait Decree-Law No. 52/2026, amending its Citizenship Law under Kuwait Emiri Decree No. 15/1959 On Kuwait Nationality Law to tighten nationality rules, expand revocation authorities, and bolster state control over naturalisation.

Kuwait Decree-Law No. 52/2026 was published in the Official Gazette and is immediately effective. It replaces key provisions and removes outdated sections of the existing law, providing a comprehensive update to the nationality framework.

Key reforms include:

Revised eligibility: Citizenship by descent is confirmed for anyone born to a Kuwaiti father, regardless of birthplace. Eligibility definitions for those of Kuwaiti origin (pre‑1920) have been refined.
Naturalisation rules revamped: Foreign spouses will no longer automatically acquire citizenship; children of naturalised parents are now classified as naturalised and may opt for nationality at adulthood.
Women’s nationality rights: Kuwaiti women retain nationality if they marry foreigners, unless they voluntarily renounce it. Special provisions now allow children of Kuwaiti mothers to acquire nationality temporarily.
Strengthened revocation and withdrawal: Citizenship may be lost for voluntarily acquiring foreign nationality, fraud, criminal conduct, disloyalty, or service to hostile states. Restoration is permitted under specified conditions including residency and renunciation requirements.
Enforcement tools: Minister of Interior gains expanded authority to decide nationality issues, including for children born to Kuwaiti mothers. Use of scientific evidence such as DNA and biometrics is now authorised. Penalties for false claims include up to 3 years’ imprisonment and KD 3,000 fine, increasing to 7 years and KD 5,000 for deliberate fraud.

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Dubai: Real Estate and Residency Services Unified Under Single System

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 April 2026: Dubai has moved to integrate real estate and residency services under a single government system following a memorandum of understanding between GDRFA Dubai and the Dubai Land Department.

The agreement brings Golden Residency, Retiree Residency and Property Residency services onto one platform, allowing applicants to complete procedures through a single channel instead of dealing with multiple authorities. Previously, property‑linked residency applications required coordination across separate real estate and immigration systems.

Authorities stated that the integration will simplify procedures, improve processing efficiency, and enhance the experience for residents, investors and property owners, while strengthening regulatory coordination between land registration and residency authorities.

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Bahrain: Customs Law Amendments Aim to Streamline Trade Procedures

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 11 April 2026: Bahrain has referred proposed amendments to the GCC Unified Customs Law to Parliament under Bahrain Decree No. 23/2026, seeking to simplify customs procedures and improve trade efficiency.

The draft amendments would ease the transfer of goods between customs points by reducing documentation requirements. Under the proposed new wording of Article 72 of Bahrain Decree No. 23/2026, goods moved from one customs office to another would no longer require a full customs declaration at the point of entry. Instead, transfers would be processed under documents and conditions set by the Director‑General, introducing greater administrative flexibility.

The bill also proposes duty exemptions for imports by the armed forces and security agencies, including equipment and vehicles, subject to official approval. These measures aim to support operational readiness while maintaining regulatory oversight.

The amendments align with decisions of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee and will take effect once approved by Parliament and published in the Official Gazette. Authorities stated that the changes are intended to enhance customs efficiency, reduce delays, and facilitate smoother trade flows across GCC borders.

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Bahrain: Crown Prince Backs Full Compensation for Citizens Following Iranian Aggression

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

6 April 2026: The Bahraini Crown Prince has chaired a Cabinet Meeting at which the implementation of a directive of the King to provide full compensation to citizens whose vehicles or property has been damaged in the hostilities was considered.

The Crown Prince has tasked the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance to assess the economic impact of Iranian aggression and implement appropriate measures to support national employment and economic growth. The committee is to submit a report to the Cabinet on this.

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Abu Dhabi: Launches Unified Hazardous‑Materials Guidelines Under GHS Revision 11

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 9 April 2026: Abu Dhabi has introduced a binding set of 11 guidelines for handling hazardous materials, marking the first global adoption of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) Revision 11 in a regulatory framework.

The Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre, in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, had recognised fragmentation and unclear standards in import, storage, transport, and disposal practices. Prior to this initiative, stakeholders followed multiple, sometimes conflicting, procedural norms.

Under the new rules, firms operating in the emirate must comply with mandatory requirements covering labelling, safety-data-sheet provision, lifecycle responsibilities, and staff roles throughout the supply chain. Entities are legally required to adhere to these standards, designed to reduce accident risk, protect the environment, and ensure consistent compliance. The guidelines are already enforceable, with monitoring and oversight integrated into Abu Dhabi’s regulatory governance.

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