The Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri has announced they have launched an eCRIME online platform to receive cyber crime reports from the public. The www.ecrime.ae website has been launched as part of the Dubai 2021 Plan. It will allow any suspicious online activity to be reported by online users.
Dubai’s Land Department has announced it has approved a new mortgage and finance law. The aim is to boost investment and the number of listed companies in the Emirate as well as make more financing tools available and update financial mechanisms in the Emirate’s property sector. It is part of a series of initiatives following the directives of Dubai’s Crown Prince and Executive Council Chairman, Sheikh Hamdan. These initiatives fall under the Dubai Plan 2021 umbrella.
Oman’s Manpower Minister has issued a Decision amending the provisions of the regulatory charter for the measures for professional health and safety in establishments regulated by the Labour Law. Under the amendments, a new article has been added requesting employers in establishments which operate in the oil and gas, ports, airports and power and water sectors to carry out regular and random tests for workers to ensure they are not taking any drugs or drinking alcohol. The employer should take the necessary steps to ensure the establishment doesn’t have these materials onsite. The amendments in Oman Ministerial Decision No. 133/2018 have been issued in line with Oman Sultani Decree No. 35/2003 and the Regulatory Charter for the professional health and safety in establishments regulated by Labour Law as issued by Oman Ministerial Decision No. 286/2008.
The UAE’s Federal National Council has approved a draft anti-begging law. Anyone found guilty of begging will be jailed for three months and fined 5,000 AED. However able-bodied offenders and those with a traceable income will be punished more severely. People who run organised, mafia-like criminal groups of beggars will be jailed for at least six months and fined at least 100,000 AED as will those who bring in people to run organised begging. Those forced into begging by these mafia-like criminal groups will be jailed for three months and fined 5,000 AED. Courts may order any money and other proceeds from begging be confiscated.
Bahrain’s Batelco has been separated into two separate legal entities to enhance competition in the telecoms market. The Shoura Council has approved a Decree-Law amending the Telecommunications Law (Bahrain Decree-Law No. 48/2002). The move is part of implementing the fourth national telecommunications plan policy. One of the entities will be responsible for a national terrestrial cable network and the other for providing retail services. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority will grant separate licenses for establishing and operating fixed national broadband networks and to offer wholesale services to licensed operators in Bahrain.
Abu Dhabi’s Global Market Courts has announced it has launched an ePortal together with Microsoft. It is hoped it will revolutionise the delivery of civil and commercial judicial dispute resolution services and transform the way courts interact with lawyers, litigants and other legal professionals. It is also hoped it will save parties time in litigation. The Integrated eCourt Platform provides a comprehensive, digital court record and will enable users to initiate, manage and monitor their cases 24/7, from anywhere in the world, through any device they choose. They will be able to file documents and receive text message notifications about their case’s progress and digital court file changes. Electronic evidence bundles will be included in the court file at no additional cost to any party and court hearings will be conducted through video conferencing which will be accessible through an integrated calendar. The Platform will also provide a secure payment gateway for clients and lawyers, with immediate access to invoices and receipts and instantaneous publication of orders and judgments on cases.
Oman’s Information Ministry has announced it has amended the regulations banning tobacco adverts in the Sultanate. Oman Ministerial Decision No. 43/2018 now bans all tobacco product adverts on all media platforms. The Ministerial Decision was issued by the Information Minister on 27 March and replaces Article 36 of the Implementing Regulations to the country’s 1984 Press and Publications Law with ‘it is prohibited to publish advertisements on tobacco products or their derivatives in all media, including print, electronic, audio-visual and any billboards, wherever they exist’. The Ministerial Decision has been issued in line with the Publications Law issued by Oman Sultani Decree No. 49/1984 and Oman Sultani Decree No. 20/2005 approving the Sultanate’s accession to the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Ras al Khaimah’s Government has announced it has formally established the Emirate’s Petroleum Authority. The Government has also announced they have officially launched the Emirate’s first petroleum licensing round which will be supported by the Emirate’s Oil Company, RAK Gas. Bids will be invited until November 2018 and data rooms cam be reserved in the Emirate and London. The Authority will be responsible for the licensing round tendering process and the management of petroleum rights.
Abu Dhabi City’s Municipality has urged all contractors to register their property units as early as possible. The Municipality has also called on property owners to respond to property developer requests regarding their updated details and documents. The Municipality’s calls follow the issuing of Abu Dhabi Circular No. 2/2018 which gave all property developers until 14 March 2018 to complete any outstanding cases and register all property deals in the Municipality’s Property Register. The aim is to facilitate the implementation of the Emirate’s Real Estate Law (Abu Dhabi Law No. 3/2015) which came into force on 1 January 2016.
Following the launch of a new National Family Policy, the UAE’s Community Development Minister, Hessa Bint Eisa Bu Humaid has announced a draft paternity leave law is under consideration. As part of the policy there are 36 initiatives which have been implemented between the Federal and local authorities. These initiatives cover educational programmes, consultations and training and are part of the UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial Strategy 2071.
