LexisNexis Middle East

Saudi Arabia: Implementing Regulations to Civil Status Law Amended

14/06/202214/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 10 June 2022: The Saudi Arabian authorities have approved amendments to the Implementing Regulations to the Kingdom’s Civil Status Law.

Under the amendments, national ID cards have to display the full name of the holder in English.

The card also has to include the date of birth of its holder and the date of expiry of the card according to the Hirj and Gregorian dates.

The amendments apply to all digital and printed civil status documents, including family records, birth certificates and death certificates.

Government and non-Government agencies whose work requires verification of the national identity must not accept photocopies of the ID.

The personal picture in the ID has to be new, coloured with a white background, clear and show all facial features. The individual must not be wearing glasses or contact lenses.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Communications and Information Technology Law Approved

13/06/202213/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 9 June 2022: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a Communications and Information Technology Law.

Under the Law, service providers and digital content platforms have to conclude agreements between them to ensure the protection of cybersecurity and critical infrastructure.

Violators could have their licence suspended or be fined up to 25 million Riyals.

Service providers have to take all necessary measures and make arrangements to ensure the protection of the confidentiality of the user’s personal information and documents and not disclose them without their consent.

Service providers also have to inform the user immediately about this if their information and documents have been compromised in any way and take the necessary measures to protect them.

The National Cybersecurity Authority is responsible for introducing the appropriate framework for announcing, promoting or amending price tariffs, or entering into agreements with a service provider outside the Kingdom to provide international roaming or any other service, or to establish, sell, or promote or use calling cards.

Telephone calls and information sent or received through public telecommunication networks must be kept confidential and may not be viewed, listened to, or recorded except in cases specified by the regulations.

No one must possess, sell, lease, manufacture, produce or circulate any device, hardware, tool, service, system, programme, or anything similar, related to telecommunications or information technology which does not comply with the approved technical specifications and standards or with the requirements and controls set by the Authority.

Anyone who engages in any practice which undermines competition in the communications and information technology sector, or damages, infringes or cuts telecommunication networks, or benefits from them in illegal ways, or disrupts communications or prevents the exchange of information in general will also be committing an offence.

Penalties will be imposed on those who commit these crimes intentionally or negligently, or possesses any communication and information technology devices without obtaining the necessary licence.

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News developments

UAE: Probation Notice Clarification Issued

10/06/202210/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 8 June 2022: The Head of Labour Complaints at the Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry has issued a clarification on how much notice employees who are in their probation period have to give.

They have clarified they have to give at least 14 days’ notice if they want to resign.

This applies to private sector employees.

Employees who have completed their probation have to give one month’s notice if they want to resign.

Previously, neither employer or employee had to give notice.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Non-Saudis Cannot Publish Advertisements on Social Media

08/06/202208/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 7 June 2022: Saudi Arabia’s General Commission for Audiovisual Media has announced non-Saudis are banned from publishing advertisements on social media.

They have issued a Circular to this effect in line with the Audiovisual Media Law.

Those who violate the ban will be committing a violation of the Kingdom’s Labour Law (Article 33 of Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M51/1426).

They will also be violating the rules for dealing with expatriates contained in Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M24/1434. This prevents the employee from working for their own benefit and Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M40/1442 which considers a non-Saudi practicing an economic activity for their own benefit without a licence as a crime.

Violators will be jailed for up to five years and fined up to five million Riyals. Also reported in Al Madina on 7 June 2022. For full story, click here.

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News developments

Oman: Mining Law Executive Regulations Amended

08/06/202208/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Atheer, 5 June 2022: The Minister of Energy and Minerals has issued Oman Ministerial Resolution No. 42/2022 amending some provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Mining Law.

Under article 2, everything that contradicts the attached amendments, or contradicts their provision will be cancelled.

The decision was based on the Mineral Resources Law issued by Oman Sultani Decree No. 19/2019, and Oman Sultani Decree No. 96/2020 amending the name of the Ministry of Oil and Gas to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, defining its terms of reference and approving its organisational structure. The executive regulations of the mining law were issued by Oman Ministerial Resolution No. 77/2010.

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News developments

UAE: Draft Federal Commercial Agencies Law to be Discussed

08/06/202208/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Bayan, 7 June 2022: A member of the Financial, Economic and Industrial Affairs Committee of the UAE’s Federal National Council has announced the Committee has completed its study of all of the details related to a draft federal law on the regulation of commercial agencies.

The draft includes setting time periods for the termination of contracts, which allow, according to the type of commercial contracts concluded, to grant the agent periods of time ranging from two months for simple contracts and up to five years for contracts related to durable goods, which contributes to providing the opportunity to agents to prepare and arrange their situation following the termination of the commercial agency contract.

The law also states that where commercial agency contracts are not terminated amicably between the agent and client, the agency file is referred to a specialist committee at the Economy Ministry.

It will be discussed on 7 June.

For full story, click here.

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News developments

Oman: New Visa Fees Come Into Force

01/06/202201/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman Daily Observer, 1 June 2022: Revised fees for the renewal and issue of expatriate work permits come into force in Oman on 1 June 2022.

However, the Ministry of Labour has waived delay penalties for the renewal of work permits from 1 June 2022 as long as permits are renewed by 1 September 2022. In addition, a 30% discount is being offered to companies which follow required Omanisation levels.

The Commercial Fees which are 201-301 Rials will vary with the type of employee. A rate of 301 Rials is payable for senior and supervisory professions which includes specialists and consultants with a rate of 201 Rials available where Omanisation levels are followed. For technical and specialist jobs the rate will be 201 Rials (or 176 Rials when Omanisation levels are followed). In the case of unskilled workers the rate will be 201 Rials discounted to 141 Rials when Omanisation levels are followed.

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News developments

Qatar: New Advertising Guide Issued

01/06/202201/06/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

Peninsula, 31 May 2022: Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality has launched the 2nd edition of its advertisement guide, which bans advertisements in certain locations and revises the rules and regulations governing advertisements more generally.

Under the new rules, an advertisement cannot be placed without first obtaining a licence from the respective municipality and paying charges and a security deposit.

The 89-page second edition of “Guide for Planning and Regulatory Requirements and Procedures for Advertising and Publicity Means in Qatar” states which types of advertising fall under its remit. These are any fixed, portable, traditional, e-signboards, whether they are temporary or permanent, which are used for an advertisement. It excludes advertisements in newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, radio, TV, and in cinemas.

The guide bans advertisements in any form including placing, sticking, hanging or by constructing at places of worship, establishments and buildings which are of an archaeological or historical nature and their surrounding walls, plus on trees and plant containers, and traffic signboards and signals.

There must be a balance between Arabic and English texts, and accuracy of translation is also required.

According to Civil Defence, advertisements should not block ventilation equipment in a building or the surrounding buildings, rescue routes, and emergency exits and entrances.

The General Directorate of Traffic requires that advertisements should not be placed so that they hinder traffic flow in any way for different means of transportation or on pedestrian passages or use radiant lights which affect vision.

Designs of advertisements should also not be similar to the traffic signals and signs in terms of size, colour and shape. The Public Works Authority also requires that advertising boards set up on roadsides follow the design plan for the street.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Financial Help for Saudi Shot Films

31/05/202231/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

The National, 26 May 2022: Films being shot fully or partly in Saudi Arabia will be able to apply for a 40 per cent cash rebate on production costs, the Saudi Film Commission has stated.

The authority has stated the new scheme known as the Film Saudi programme will be open to all local, regional and international film producers. Under Film Saudi, productions that recruit Saudi crew and talent and those that feature the Kingdom’s culture and people and showcase its landscape will qualify for the incentive.

The Abu Dhabi Film Commission also offers a similar incentive, with a 30 per cent cashback rebate on productions, including feature films, television dramas and commercials which are shot in Abu Dhabi.

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News developments

Qatar: Draft Decision Banning Single-use Plastic Bags Approved

30/05/202230/05/2022
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Peninsula, 25 May 2022: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft Decision which would ban the use of single-use plastic bags in the country.

Under the Decision, institutions, companies and shopping centres would be banned from using single-use plastic bags in packaging, presenting, circulating, carrying or transporting products and all kinds of merchandise.

It was proposed by the Municipality Ministry.

Single-use plastic bags would also be replaced with multi-use plastic bags, biodegradable plastic bags, paper or woven bags and other biodegradable materials.

The Cabinet also approved a draft agreement on cancelling visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports between Qatar and Bangladesh. Also reported in Al-Sharq on 25 May 2022. For full story, click here.

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