News developments Archives - Page 189 of 223

Qatar: New Controls and Procedures for the Exit of Expatriates not Subject to the Labour Law

18/01/202017/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister has issued Qatar Decision No. 95/2019 on controls and procedures for the exit of some categories of expatriates who are not subject to the Labour Law. The Decision allows expatriates to exit the country during the validity of their work contract. It applies to workers in Ministries and other Government agencies as well as public bodies and institutions. In addition, it applies to those in the oil and gas sector, maritime industries, agriculture and grazing, domestic and private office workers. An employer has the right to submit a request to the Interior Ministry with the names of those who may require approval before they leave the country because of the nature of their work, up to 5% of the number of their employees. Domestic workers should inform their employer at least 72 hours before they want to leave.

Kuwait: Amendments to the Audiovisual and Publication Laws Announced

18/01/202017/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Rapporteur of the Educational Affairs Committee of Kuwait’s National Assembly has announced the Committee has discussed amendments to the Audiovisual and Publication Laws. The amendments being considered relate to the penalties under both laws. If they are approved, those who violate either law will not be jailed. The Committee also discussed a draft law on media protections for young people and is waiting to get feedback on the Government.

Bahrain: Execution Court Procedures to be Expedited

17/01/202017/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Head of Bahrain’s Execution Court has announced it is going to expedite procedures in the Court. The Courts have been split to hear different cases and enable them to provide more effective e-services. The number of Execution Court judges have also been increased from six to eight. The changes have been introduced together with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry. Private firms will also be able to act as legal notaries if they are licensed.

Kuwait: Children of Kuwait Female Nationals Should be Able to Receive Social Help

11/01/202010/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

According to local newspaper reports, Kuwait’s Social Affairs Minister has presented a draft law to allow the children of Kuwaiti female nationals and non-Kuwaiti men to receive social assistance. It has been referred to the Fatwa and Legislation Department to consider. The aim is to improve their living conditions and create a more equal system.

Qatar: Crypto Currency Trading Banned

11/01/202010/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Financial Centre Regulatory Authority is understood to have banned crypto currency trading although no official announcement has been made. The ban apparently applies to ‘anything of value that acts as a substitute for currency, that can be digitally traded or transferred and can be used for payment or investment purposes’. However, digital forms of securities or any other financial instrument under the remit of the Authority, the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, will apparently still be allowed.

Saudi Arabia: Tax Objection Procedures Amended

11/01/202010/01/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s King has issued a Royal Decree to amend the tax objection procedures for income tax, excise tax and VAT. The Decree states ‘Anyone against whom a decision has been issued by the commission may object to it in accordance with the provisions of the work rules of the committees for adjudication of tax violations and disputes’. It applies to Article 66(a) of the Income Tax Law, Article 49 of the VAT Law and Article 27 of the Excise Tax Law. The Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers and heads of relevant independent bodies have been instructed to implement it as appropriate.

Saudi Arabia: Saudisation Requirements for Health and Safety Sector Announced

21/12/201919/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Labour and Social Development Minister has announced Saudisation requirements for health and safety jobs in the Kingdom. For positions in mega, big and medium enterprises only Saudis will be considered for professional and practitioner positions. The requirements have been included in a Ministerial Decision and are supported by the Human Resources Development Fund. A timetable for the completion of this development has also been announced along with Saudisation guidelines.

Kuwait: Amendment to Buildings Charter Proposed

21/12/201919/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

A member of the Kuwaiti municipality council has submitted a proposal to add a new article to the buildings charter. If approved, public departments and private entities will have to build nurseries for the children of their staff. The aim is to ensure entities with more than 50 female employees or more than 200 employees, from both genders, have dedicated nurseries. The member added Article 25 of the Labour Law provides for establishing nurseries in these entities but has so far not been implemented.

Oman: Plastic Bags to be Banned

20/12/201919/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Environment and Climate Affairs Ministry has proposed banning plastic bags early next year. If the proposal is approved by the Commerce and Industry Ministry next year it will be introduced within the same timeframe. It will mean companies, factories, shops and those who use single-use plastic bags will have to replace them with environmentally-friendly ones within one year of the Decision.

Kuwait: Transfer of Salaries for Workers Within Two Months of Work Permits Issuance

14/12/201912/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Asil Almazid, spokesperson and director of the Public Relations and Media Department in the Authority for Manpower of Kuwait, has announced Circular 26/2019 on giving business owners two months from the date of issuance of work permits to pay the salaries of the workers. Businesses should transfer the wages via bank transfers to local finance companies for their workers who have been recruited from abroad. Almazil has said the Labour Inspection Department is conducting an inspection to make sure that this deadline is being respected.