News developments Archives - Page 163 of 224

Kuwait: Partial Curfew Appeal Rejected

19/03/202119/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s lower court has rejected appeals against the partial curfew. The curfew was imposed as part of anti-Coronavirus measures introduced by the authorities. The court said the Health Minister is authorised by law to recommend measures to tackle the spread of serious diseases. However they called on the authorities to continuously review the restrictions and measures to establish a balance between serving public interests, securing the safety of society and safeguarding the health system while preserving the rights of individuals and their economic and social rights. They called on authorities to revise the duration of the curfew and travel restrictions.

Bahrain: Telecommunication Regulatory Authority Signs Cooperation Agreement with Arab Centre for Dispute Resolution

19/03/202119/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has signed a cooperation agreement with the Arab Centre for Dispute Resolution. The agreement aims to organise and manage disputes relating to the BH and Albahrain’ Internationalised Domain Name domain names. The Centre will coordinate with complainants, respondents and registrars to complete the necessary documents for filing cases, in addition to the panellists adopted by the Centre.

UAE: Artists and Social Media Influencer Activities Subject to VAT

12/03/202112/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority has issued a bulletin clarifying that services provided by artists and social media influencers for consideration are subject to VAT. The bulletin specifies VAT applies to these services provided by artists and social media influencers which include any online promotional activities performed on behalf of other businesses for consideration, like promoting a product in a blog or a video or otherwise promoting a business on a social media post. It also includes any physical appearances, marketing and advertising related activities, providing access to any social media influencers’ networks on social media, and any other services the social media influencer may provide for consideration. It clarifies that if an artist or influencer incurs any costs in providing a service and subsequently recovers that cost from their client, the reimbursement falls within the scope of VAT in the UAE.

Saudi Arabia: Accounting and Auditing New Law Reduces Experience Requirement

12/03/202112/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Accounting and Auditing Law, which has recently been approved by the Cabinet amends the title of the Saudi Authority for Chartered Accountants to the Saudi Authority for Auditors and Accountants. It authorises the issuing of licenses to practice accounting and auditing for part timers and reduces the experience requirement to a year instead of three years.

Qatar: New Contracts for Domestic Workers on the Way

12/03/202112/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Following the issuing of Qatar Law No. 15/2017 by the Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry, an official at the International Labour Organisation Project Office in Qatar has announced new contracts will soon be issued to domestic workers coming to Qatar. They will specify their working hours, tasks and leave and overtime entitlements. Domestic workers will not be able to work more than two hours overtime and there are provisions on how compensation for overtime will be calculated. It will be calculated on the same basis as overtime for workers covered by the Labour Law. Domestic workers will also be entitled to the same sick leave benefit as any other workers in Qatar. Both domestic workers and employers will be able to terminate the contract providing they give reasonable notice. The new contract also specifies domestic workers should not be charged for their recruitment. These costs should be paid by the employer. The new contract aims to equalise the rights between domestic workers and workers covered by the Qatari Labour Law. It will reduce miscommunication in employment relationships and improve transparency in tasks between employers and domestic workers.

Bahrain: Minimum Salary for Sponsoring Family Members Increased

12/03/202112/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Interior Minister has issued a Decision to increase the minimum monthly salary requirement for expatriates looking to sponsor their family members. Previously, the minimum monthly salary requirement was 250 Dinars. It has now been increased to 400 Dinars. To sponsor children who are over 24 or parents, the minimum monthly salary has to be at least 1,000 Dinars. They must also have valid health insurance in Bahrain. The Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs may issue exceptions.

Abu Dhabi: Law Firm Has to Refund 72,500 Dirhams to Client

12/03/202112/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Court of First Instance has issued a ruling requiring a law firm to pay their client 72.500 AED after they paid the firm 80,000 AED for filing a case but later found out the legal fees owed on the case are only 7,500 AED. They filed a lawsuit, where they demanded a legal consulting firm be made to repay them 72,500 AED. They had given a power of attorney to the owner of the law firm, to file a lawsuit and the firm assured them the lawsuit fee was 80,000 AED. They later found out the fee was 7,500 AED. The court clarified in its ruling there was evidence that the owner of the defendant company did not attend the session set for the decisive oath and there is evidence the defendant was liable to pay the amount.

UAE: National Integrated Energy Model Launched

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Energy and Infrastructure Ministry has announced it has launched the National Integrated Energy Model. They launched it together with the Khalifa University and the International Renewable Energy Agency. It will support the formulation of the future energy for the UAE and the design of the next 50 years in the energy sector. It will also provide a roadmap for a new phase of energy sector sustainability and provide a common framework which brings together stakeholders in the energy sector. In addition, it will define the contours of the future as part of the UAE’s efforts to maximise the benefits of this sector by developing strategies and foundations for work in it during the next phase in line with the National Energy Strategy 2050. This Strategy aims to obtain safe and sustainable energy for everyone at competitive prices, increase the efficiency of individual and institutional consumption by 40% by 2050 and increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix produced in the country to 50%. An understanding to develop the energy modelling capabilities with Khalifa University and the International Renewable Energy Agency was also reached. In addition, a partnership bringing the three entities together was established. This will develop the UAE energy model to support the UAE’s approach in this sector. It will also benefit from the experience of the Agency and the research capabilities of Khalifa University to establish a programme to support the review of the energy strategy in the UAE and engage strategic partners to continue developing the energy policy in the country.

UAE: National Integrated Energy Model Launched

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia: Merged Insurance Companies Exempt From Qualification Financial Requirement

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Cooperative Health Insurance Council has announced it is exempting merged small and medium insurance companies from the financial requirement for qualification. They will be exempt for up to three years in line with new terms and conditions. The aim of the policy is to improve the quality of health services by creating economic entities able to offer high quality services as part of the 2022-2024 health strategy to empower the health insurance sector. The official spokesperson for the Council said they have prepared the initiative and a work plan to support the merging of insurance companies. They have also signed an agreement with the Competition General Authority to encourage companies to merge.