News developments Archives - Page 8 of 223

Oman: Introduces New Remote Working Regulations for Private Sector

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 8 September 2025: The Ministry of Labour in Oman has unveiled comprehensive regulations governing remote work arrangements in the private sector, establishing the country’s first formal framework for flexible working practices.

Under the new ministerial decision, employers must now follow specific guidelines when implementing remote work schemes. The regulations apply to both partial and full remote working arrangements, though notably prohibit remote contracts with workers based outside Oman.

The decision mandates that employers must:

Maintain an official register of remote workers
Supply necessary IT equipment and software
Implement electronic monitoring systems for performance tracking
Cover installation and maintenance costs of work-related technology.

To protect workers’ rights, the legislation explicitly forbids surveillance systems that infringe on employee privacy or misuse personal data. Workers are granted the right to disconnect from company systems if such violations occur.

The regulations specify that full remote working contracts must be written agreements detailing employment terms, including working hours, remuneration, and technological requirements. For partial remote working arrangements, employees may submit requests which employers can approve or decline based on operational needs.

Employers retain the right to recall partially remote workers to on-site work under specific circumstances, including information security breaches or failure to maintain agreed working hours.

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Kuwait: Cabinet Approves New Law on Child Registration

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Kuwait Times, 9 September 2025: The Kuwaiti government has approved significant legislative changes affecting children’s rights.

The Cabinet endorsed amendments to the Children’s Rights Law, introducing mandatory requirements for registering newborns under their father’s nationality portfolio. The revised legislation includes penalties for non-compliance.

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Dubai: Introduces New Tourist Transport Regulations

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Emarat Al Youm, 9 September 2025: Dubai’s transport authorities have unveiled new executive regulations governing tourist transportation services across the emirate, implemented through Dubai Administrative Decision No. 97/2025.

The comprehensive regulations establish new licensing requirements for tourist transport operators and vehicles. Under the new framework, authorities will oversee the issuance and renewal of permits for tourist transport establishments, vehicle registration, and professional licences for tourist transport drivers.

Key measures include:

Mandatory licensing for all tourist transport facilities
New vehicle registration requirements for tourist transport vehicles
Professional certification requirements for drivers
Streamlined application processes through authorised service centres.

The regulations create a standardised system for managing tourist transportation services across Dubai. Applications for permits and licences must be submitted through official service centres and channels designated by the transport authority.

The new regulatory framework assigns responsibility for oversight and compliance monitoring to the transport authority, which will manage all aspects of licensing and registration for the tourist transport sector.

For the full story, click here.

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Bahrain: Strengthens Financial Penalties in Central Bank Law Amendment

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 8 September 2025: Bahrain has issued significant changes to its banking legislation through a new royal decree that substantially increases penalties for violations of financial regulations.

The amendment, issued as Bahrain Decree-Law No. 37/2025, specifically revises Article 161 of Bahrain Law No. 1/2006 the Central Bank and Financial Institutions Law.

Under the modified legislation, offenders who breach Articles 40 and 41, or associated regulations under Article 42, now face imprisonment and/or fines of up to one million Bahraini dinars.

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Ajman: New Heavy Fines for Illegal Parking of Fuel Transport Vehicles

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Today, 7 September 2025: Ajman’s government has issued new regulations prohibiting petroleum transport vehicles from parking outside designated areas, with violations carrying fines of up to AED20,000.

The Higher Energy Committee will oversee enforcement through judicial officers, implementing a graduated penalty system for offenders. First-time violators face AED5,000 fines, increasing to AED10,000 for second offences. Third violations will incur an AED20,000 penalty and may result in vehicle impoundment and public auction.

The committee holds the authority to impose additional sanctions on licensed facilities that breach regulations, including suspension or cancellation of petroleum trading permits. Officials may order immediate removal of vehicles from densely populated areas or locations presenting public safety risks, with costs charged to vehicle owners.

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Abu Dhabi: Customs Introduces Priority Clearance for Trusted Food Products

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 9 September 2025: Abu Dhabi has launched a new ‘Golden List’ system that will accelerate border entry procedures for food products with proven safety compliance records.

This initiative establishes expedited clearance for food items meeting specific criteria, including successful safety compliance on five consecutive shipments and proper health certification from origin countries.

Products qualifying for the list will receive priority pre-release clearance and bypass standard visual inspections and sampling requirements. Importers must submit applications through the Atlab platform 24 hours before shipment arrival.

The fast-track status will be immediately revoked if products fail to maintain compliance standards or receive safety notifications. Such items will then return to standard inspection protocols.

To qualify for the programme, importers must provide: Documentation of five consecutive compliant shipments, Valid health certificates from origin countries, Advance import applications and Complete pre-audit documentation.

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UAE: Fake Consumer Protection Websites

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 26 August 2025: The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection has warned of fake platforms charging consumers to resolve complaints.

The Society for Consumer Protection has issued a warning about suspicious and fraudulent websites, platforms, and social media pages which are misusing government logos and falsely claim to specialise in protecting consumers and safeguarding their rights. These fraudulent sites lure consumers into submitting complaints, then request fees for resolving them, or demand bank transfers and access to personal accounts.

The society has emphasised that it never charges any fees or accepts any payments for resolving consumer complaints. It has urged consumers if any entity that requests payment or asks for bank transfers to immediately refuse this, block the source, and report the matter to the relevant authorities.

The sites falsely claim to be official complaint-handling portals that help consumers recover their rights by reporting financial, commercial, or service-related violations.

According to the Society, these fake platforms have created counterfeit complaint forms resembling official ones, which require personal details such as name, phone number, and email address.

The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection is a recognised non-profit entity; its complaint services are completely free, and it never requests any payment or personal financial details from consumers.

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Sharjah: Change to Fathers’ Visitation Rights

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 25 August 2025: The Ruler of Sharjah has instructed the emirate’s judicial authorities to give judges wider discretion in custody cases, allowing divorced fathers to take their children outside designated visitation centres when it serves the children’s best interests.

The decision was announced during the ruler’s daily call-in programme Al Khat Al Mubasher (The Direct Line) on Sharjah Radio and Television, after a father called in to share his concerns over current visitation rules.

The man stated that since his divorce he had been limited to meeting his children inside a supervised room at the Social Services Department which felt like he was serving a sentence. He described the humiliation of not being able to take his children to visit relatives or enjoy outings. Sheikh Sultan immediately directed the Sharjah Department of Justice to empower judges to assess custody arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Under the new guidance, fathers will be able to take their children outside state facilities, provided there is no history of abuse or violence.

The welfare of children must come first, but fathers also have the right to see their children “free from pressures.”

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Saudi Arabia: Implements Fines for Illegal Water Connections

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Watan, 21 August 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Water Authority has announced the end of its grace period for unauthorised water and sewage connections, with violations now subject to fines reaching up to 100,000 Riyals.

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Water Authority confirmed that penalties will be enforced according to existing regulations and bylaws. Specialised committees will assess each violation individually, with fines determined based on the severity of the infringement.

Key points of the enforcement:

Fines up to 100,000 riyals for unregistered connections
Case-by-case assessment of violations
Technical and administrative procedures ongoing
Field surveys required for each registration request

The National Water Company has reported receiving numerous registration applications during the grace period, though exact statistics regarding the number of corrected illegal connections are not yet available due to ongoing technical assessments.

For the full story, click here.

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Qatar: Traffic Authority Tightens Rules for Motorcyclists

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 21 August 2025: The General Directorate of Traffic has implemented stricter regulations for delivery motorcycle riders, introducing new safety measures and technical requirements for the growing delivery sector.

Key measures include: Mandatory right-lane usage for riders, except within 300 metres of intersections and roundabouts, Smart surveillance systems and road patrols to monitor compliance and Specific technical requirements for delivery boxes including: Reflective red tape on rear, Reflective yellow tape on sides, Ban on internal LED lighting, Fiberglass construction requirement, Non-sharp edge designs, Mandatory corporate branding and Operational license plates for all units.

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