News developments Archives - Page 128 of 224

Abu Dhabi: Sick Leave Electronic System Updated

11/05/202211/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Alroeya, 10 May 2022: Abu Dhabi’s Health Department has issued Abu Dhabi Circular No. 104/2022 on updates to the electronic sick leave system.

It has been addressed to all health facilities and licensed doctors.

The Circular states it has been decided to update the electronic sick leave system in the Department, so all doctors have to issue sick leave using the electronic sick leave system on the Tamm platform only.

The Circular was issued following a Circular from the Human Resources Authority, Abu Dhabi Circular No. 6/2022. This Circular was issued on 27 April 2022.

The Circular requires all doctors not to issue sick leave to Abu Dhabi Government employees for one to two days, as the closed electronic sick leave system cannot be accessed for this type of leave.

The Department has also issued Abu Dhabi Circular No. 103/2022 on temporary licenses for health facilities, related to temporary licenses issued to health facilities coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic to practice medical activities. This includes field hospitals, temporary tents and kiosks.

The temporary license issued by the Department of Health is valid for up to six months. This period is calculated from the issued date. For full story, click here.

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UAE: Penalties for Providing Illegal Content Online Clarified

11/05/202211/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Alroeya, 7 May 2022: The UAE’s Public Prosecution has clarified the penalties for providing illegal content and refraining from removing it.

Under Article 53 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021, anyone who uses a website or an electronic account will be fined between 300,000 and 10,000,000 AED, if they store or publish illegal content and do not take the initiative to remove it or prevent access to this content within the period specified in the orders issued to them and the Decree-Law.

The same penalties will be imposed on those who refuse to comply, in whole or in part, with one of the orders issued to them under the Decree-Law, without an acceptable excuse.

For full story, click here.

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LexisNexis Middle East and D&C Legal Services hosted insightful webinars exploring trending legal topics within the Middle East and GCC

11/05/202211/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

LexisNexis Middle East, in collaboration with D&C Legal Services, hosted three insightful webinars exploring trending legal topics within the Middle East and GCC.

The first webinar on ‘Growing and Protecting Your Brand in the Middle East and GCC’ took place on 28 September 2021 and provided attendees guidance on growing their brand and protecting it from improper use. Our expert speaker, Aurore Deeb, Senior Associate at D&C Legal Services, considered topics such as opposition, the registration process of trademarks, legal actions for infringement, unfair competition, and more.

The second webinar on ‘Intellectual Property, Social Media, and Google Ads’ took place on 19 December 2021. Our expert speaker, Rana Moustafa, Associate at D&C Legal Services, provided insights into the interconnection between social media and intellectual property. Topics such as digital policies on social media platforms, Google Ads, keywords advertising, were discussed.

The final webinar on ‘Global Legal Protection of Geographical Indications (GI)’ took place on 7 March 2022. During this webinar, GI and its international legal protection was discussed. Our expert speaker, Nasser Messaike, Associate at D&C Legal Services, explored GI in its entirety, including its security, enforcement, and more.

LexisNexis Middle East thanks D&C Legal Services for their constant support and partnership, making these webinars a success from the start.

Thank you for joining us while we continue to host these informative training and events. Visit www.lexis.ae/training-events/ to keep an eye out for future courses which are of interest to you.

UAE: Annual Emiratisation Rate Increased

11/05/202211/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Cabinet has approved a Decision to increase the annual Emiratisation rate in the private sector.

The increase will have to be applied to high-skilled jobs in companies which employ 50 or more people.

It is hoped the amendment will create 12,000 employment opportunities for Emiratis.

Companies who do not comply will have to pay 6,000 AED annually from January next year for every citizen who has not been employed.

The figure will increase to 10% by 2026.

The Decision was one of several resolutions and incentives approved by the Cabinet to improve the participation of Emiratis in the private sector.

They were approved as part of the NAFIS Programme. This is a federal programme which aims to increase the competitiveness of the Emirati workforce and facilitate UAE citizens being employed in the private sector.

They also approved a reduction in Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry service fees by 80% for private sector entities, who achieve major recruitment and training of Emirati citizens goals.

It offers various benefits including the Emirati Salary Support Scheme which offers UAE citizens a one-year salary support of up to 8,000 AED a month during training and monthly support of up to 5,000 AED for up to five years for university graduates.

It also provides UAE citizens who specialise in specific fields like coders, nurses and accountants with a top-up on their existing salaries.

In addition, it offers a subsidised five-year Government-paid contribution on the company’s behalf against the cost of pension plans for Emirati employees and full support for the Emirati’s contribution across the first five years of their employment.

It offers Private Sector Child Allowance Scheme as well. The scheme consists of a monthly grant made to Emirati staff working in the private sector of up to 800 AED per child up to a maximum of 3,200 AED a month.

Also reported in Alroeya on 9 May 2022, For full story, see:

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Saudi Arabia: Penalties for Passport Betting Clarified

09/05/202209/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 5 May 2022: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports or Jawazat has clarified the penalties which will be imposed on those who bet on passports.

Offenders could be fined.

They could even have a travel ban imposed on them.

If an individual loses their passport, they should inform the nearest embassy or their representatives to the Kingdom.

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Egypt: Draft Food Waste Law Considered

09/05/202209/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Egypt Today, 4 May 2022: Egypt’s House of Representatives has considered a new draft food waste law.

It aims to regulate the disposal of food and encourage it to be redistributed, recycled and donated.

It aims to ban food which is edible and can be redistributed from being thrown away.

Anyone who wastes edible food will be fined between 100,000 and 500,000 Egyptian Pounds.

Under the law, a national programme will be established by the Egyptian Food Safety Authority and the Social Solidarity Ministry.

The disposal of unsold food at retailers will also be illegal and this food will have to be donated.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

Egypt: Income Tax Amendments Confirmed

05/05/202205/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dostor, 2 May 2022: The Egyptian Finance Minister, Mohamed Maeit, has confirmed that amendments introduced in the Income Tax Law, which have been approved by the Council of Ministers and referred to the Parliament, aim at reducing the burden on nationals and stimulating investment.

The amendments include increasing the personal tax exemption limit from 9,000 to 15,000 Egyptian Pounds which would makes the annual total tax exemption limit 30,000 Egyptian Pounds. They also include an incentive for individuals to request electronic invoices and receipts, and an incentive for those who report tax evasion.

He also added that the amendments include some reforms which have been designed to invigorate the Egyptian Bursa such as simplified accounting benefits for investing individuals and establishments.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

Bahrain: Crowdfunding Regulations Issued

05/05/202205/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

The National, 1 May 2022: The Central Bank of Bahrain has set new rules governing crowdfunding-based activities.

The move follows a comprehensive review of existing regulations and contains rules on both equity and financing-based crowdfunding, according to a report by Bahrain News Agency.

The new regulations include principles governing the conduct of operations by the platform, rules on platform offers and disclosures. Methods for avoiding conflicts of interest are also covered as are segregating client money from platform operators to ensure safe operation of the activity.

Crowdfunding is seen by the authorities in Bahrain as potentially providing new alternative sources of funding for new businesses and start-ups and it is hoped it will serve as a catalyst for the growth of these types of businesses. The new regulations are principles-based, simple, easily understood and contain the minimum safeguards required to ensure crowdfunding platforms do not pose excessive risk to the financial sector.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

Oman: New Banking Consumer Protection Guidelines

04/05/202204/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman Observer, 28 April 2022: The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has issued a Financial Consumer Protection Regulatory Framework for licensed banks, and Finance and Leasing Companies (FLCs), in Oman.

The Framework follows the Central Bank’s strategy to protect customers and help support the economy and financial inclusion. It aims to ensure customers have access to financial services and help build consumer confidence in the sector. The framework covers five areas which are disclosure and transparency, fair treatment and business conduct, data protection and privacy, provision of dispute resolution mechanisms and provision of financial education and financial capability.

It covers the format and manner of disclosures in advertising and sales materials, disclosure of terms and conditions as well as requiring information on product risks, conflict of interests and key fact statements.

Contract notes and statements and notifications of changes in rates and terms and conditions are also covered. There are also requirements governing unfair terms and conditions, unfair practices, sales practices and considerations of product suitability.

In addition, customer data must be lawfully collected and used, and held securely. Internal complaints handling is also covered.

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Abu Dhabi Global Market Amends Fees Regime for Late Submission of Regulatory Returns

01/05/202201/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi’s Global Market has announced it has amended its fees regime in relation to the late submission of regulatory returns.

A flat fee of $500 where a regulatory return has become overdue has been adopted.

The scope of the regulatory returns which are subject to this fee have been amended.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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