News developments Archives - Page 61 of 223

UAE: Marriage Grants Regulations Under Review

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Emaratalyoum, 16 May 2024: A parliamentary report, recently endorsed by the Federal National Council, has proposed that the Community Development Ministry conduct a thorough and contemporary governmental study.

The aim is to reassess the maximum salary cap for citizens seeking a marriage grant, currently set at 25,000 dirhams after accounting for housing and pension allowances, if applicable.

The report has emphasised that the requirement of linking marriage grants to a citizen’s income level or salary ceiling restricts eligibility to individuals without higher academic degrees.

It fails to benefit those with higher academic qualifications and positions.

The report, prepared by the Council’s Social Affairs, Labour, Population, and Human Resources Committee, has highlighted the key requirements for obtaining a marriage grant.

These include citizenship for both the beneficiary and their spouse, as well as the inability to afford marriage expenses, targeting individuals with limited income or those benefiting from social assistance.

However, the report underscores that this condition narrows the scope of citizens eligible for marriage grants, as it excludes many young individuals in need of such support, despite not falling under the definition of “people with limited income” or beneficiaries of social assistance. For the full story, click here.

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Saudi Arabia: Insurance Authority Cybersecurity Subcommittee Established

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Al-Watan, 19 May 2024: The Insurance Authority has approved the establishment of a Cybersecurity Subcommittee.

This initiative aims to strengthen the cybersecurity framework within the Kingdom’s insurance sector.

The Cybersecurity Subcommittee aims to ensure the Saudi insurance sector’s commitment to implementing, supporting, and following up on comprehensive cybersecurity programmes, legislation, and strategic frameworks approved by regulatory authorities.

In its role, the subcommittee will focus on several key areas, including facilitating the integration of new cybersecurity regulations and practices into the daily operations of insurance companies, providing expert guidance, and supervising cybersecurity trends and performance in the insurance sector.

It will also follow up on the implementation of approved cybersecurity programmes and initiatives, and improve collaborative efforts among stakeholders to share best practices on cyber security.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee for Insurance Companies has stated that the creation of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee marks a significant commitment by regulators and stakeholders to safeguard the Saudi insurance sector amid digital transformation.

He has also noted that the committee includes experienced stakeholders and cybersecurity specialists, fostering a collaborative approach. for the full story, click here.

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Qatar: New Regulations for Medical Certificates Announced

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Raya, 20 May 2024: The Health Specialties Department at the Public Health Ministry has confirmed that medical certificates issued to patients are legal documents.

Healthcare providers who issue misleading or inaccurate sick leave certificates may be subject to disciplinary procedures, and appropriate measures can be taken regarding any violation of the rules regulating them.

This may include taking civil or criminal legal action against violators.

The Department has announced in a circular the issuance of new regulations to regulate the acceptance and approval of requests to verify the validity and entitlement to sick leave.

The Department has explained that applications that do not meet the regulations, include the requirement for the employer to verify that the sick leave has been added to the electronic system E-Jaza.

Additionally, regarding sick leave issued by Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation, the employer can refer to both entities if the relevant sick leave cannot be found in the electronic system. for the full story, click here.

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Oman: Regulations Amended to Support Liquidity Fund

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Shabiba, 16 May 2024: The Muscat Stock Exchange has celebrated by ringing the bell for the inauguration of a “Liquidity Development Fund”.

The fund aims to improve the liquidity of shares of companies listed on the stock exchange.

The launch of the fund aligns with the ongoing developments in the Omani capital markets, which include the announcement of several new IPOs and the introduction of regulations governing market-making operations.

The Muscat Stock Exchange is intensifying its marketing efforts with regional campaigns and incentive initiatives.

This involves making significant changes to certain regulatory requirements for capital markets, especially regarding taxes on distributed profits. For the full story, click here.

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Kuwait: Advertisement Regulations Amended

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Alrai, 16 May 2024: The Public Works Minister and the State for Municipal Affairs Minister have issued a ministerial decision to amend advertisement regulations.

The regulatory amendments now include new fees for recent advertisements that previously did not have financial compensation as listed in the advertisements, with some provisions being amended.

The amendments involve the introduction of new fees, including a charge of 5 dinars per square meter per month for seasonal advertisements.

A fee of 75 dinars annually per square meter on animated electronic advertisements.

Additionally, 50 dinars annually per square meter on fixed and non-moving electronic commercial advertisements.

For the full story, click here.

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Dubai: Complaints System for Military Departments Approved

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Emaratalyoum, 20 May 2024: The Dubai Government Human Resources Department has issued Dubai Decision 1/2024, which approves the grievances and complaints system for the military departments in Dubai.

The decision aims to achieve several goals.

First, it governs the procedures of the military department committees covered by the law.

Second, it organises the process of handling grievances and complaints before the relevant committee in terms of procedural and substantive rules.

Third, it links this process to the one followed by the Central Committee, in accordance with Dubai Decree No. 27/2018.

This includes specifically organising the timelines for submitting a grievance or complaint.

The decision aims to raise the level of performance of the committees’ work and align their indicators with government indicators and those of the Central Committee.

The objectives of the decision also include ensuring proper implementation of the provisions of current legislation and compliance with set limits.

It also aims to address any complaints from affiliates by providing an optimal environment within the department and reducing the need to resort to the Central Committee.

For full story, click here.

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Abu Dhabi: Single-Use Styrofoam Ban From 1 June 2024

23/05/202423/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 21 May 2024: The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and the Economic Development Department have announced that single-use styrofoam products will be banned from 1 June 2024.

The ban will apply to cups, lids, plates, beverage containers, and food receptacles intended for immediate consumption.

Items exempt from this ban will include reusable storage boxes, coolers, and items intended for medical use.

The initiative to ban single-use styrofoam is an extension of the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy and supports the aims of the Year of Sustainability.

The Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy was launched in May 2020.

Under this policy, a ban on the sale of single-use plastic bags across all retailers took effect on 1 June 2022, resulting in a 95% reduction in their use.

Other emirates in the UAE have also enforced similar bans on single-use plastic products.

In Sharjah, the ban began on 1 January 2024, and the emirate announced on 22 April 2024 that the municipality had stopped manufacturing single-use plastic bags.

Dubai has also announced a ban on single-use plastic effective 1 January 2024, imposing fines of up to Dh2,000 for violations.

These bans followed the federal government’s announcement in January 2023 about the pan-UAE ban on single-use plastic starting in 2024.

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UAE: New Air Travel Protocols

17/05/202417/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 14 May 2024: The UAE aviation authority has introduced a new protocol to combat the spread of communicable diseases during air travel.

This protocol aims to facilitate swift reporting by operators’ stations and promote collaboration with local health authorities.

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Saudi Arabia: HR Ministry To Start Wage Protection Service

17/05/202417/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

The Human Resources Ministry and Social Development has announced its decision to implement a Wage Protection Service related to salaries of domestic workers through the Musaned platform.

In the first phase, the Wage Protection Service will be implemented for domestic workers arriving under new contracts, starting from 1 July 2024.

Existing house workers will gradually transition into the system in stages, based on the number of domestic workers each employer has.

By 1 January 2026, all categories of domestic workers will be covered by this service.

This service continues the ministry’s initiatives to develop the domestic workers sector and safeguard the rights of both workers and employers.

It aims to ensure salary payment transparency and facilitate it through digital wallets and approved banks via the ministry’s Musaned platform.

Enhancing the security and reliability of wage transfers preserves the rights of all parties involved in the contracts.

The new service will be implemented for employers with more than four domestic workers starting from 1 January 2025.

For employers with three or more workers, it will begin on 1 July 2025, while those with two or more workers will have it on 1 October 2025.

The service has been available on the Musaned platform since 1 April 2022, receiving positive feedback and interaction from customers and contractual parties.

The service of paying domestic workers’ salaries through specific official channels offers several benefits for the employer.

It improves the verification of salaries, simplifies procedures related to the worker’s termination or travel, and provides protection for both the employer and the worker in case of disputes.

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Qatar: Guide for Landlords and Tenants Rights Being Prepared

17/05/202417/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Al Sharq, 13 May 2024: The Head of the Office of the Rental Dispute Resolution Committees at the Municipality Ministry has announced the implementation of several proposals to meet the needs of the public and the rental committees.

The committee has stated that it is developing new financial services, soon to be announced, and is collaborating with the Ministry’s unified call centre to roll out an inquiry service.

The committee is also in the process of introducing new financial services, which will be announced shortly, along with the launch of an inquiry service in collaboration with the Ministry’s unified call centre.

The move from the previous system to the Courts System and the gradual shift from paper-based to electronic transactions as part of digital transformation have facilitated swift adjudication of applications.

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