News developments
Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources and Social Development Minister has announced the Kingdom has ratified the International Labour Organisation agreement No. 90 on the protection of salaries and agreement No. 120 on health rules in the work environment. The Ministry launched a wages protection programme in 2013 which has been improved since then to reflect the 2030 Vision.
News developments
Qatar’s Interior Ministry has announced cheque complaint cases can now be filed online through the Interior Ministry’s website. The facility is available to companies, banks and individuals who will not have to visit the relevant security department in person. Instead they will be able to log in to the service and submit a report by attaching all the required documents. Once submitted, the relevant department will review the report and the required documents and confirm validity. A text message will then be sent via Metrash confirming the successful receipt of the report and its reference number. If further documents are required, the complainant will get a text message asking them to complete the case procedures and refer to the Public Prosecution in line with the law. Complainants can also make enquiries about the status of the case through the electronic follow up service by giving the case details.
News developments
The Chairman of Oman’s Commercial Arbitration Centre has issued Oman Decision No. 8/2020 implementing the Centre’s rules. The centre itself was established under Oman Sultani Decree No. 26/2018 and Oman Decision No. 37/2019 was issued to approve its workflow and Board. The rules will come into force, the day after the Decision is published in the Official Gazette.
News developments
Kuwait’s Insurance Unit has issued rules and conditions for issuing compulsory vehicle insurance policies against civil liability resulting from traffic accidents. Kuwait Decision No. 9/2020 specifies the companies which are qualified to issue the insurance policies and a list of the approved companies will be published soon. The Decision will be implemented on 13 December 2020. The Unit has stated insurance policies issued before the Decision by unqualified companies will remain valid, as will all of the rights and duties set out in these policies.
News developments
The Abu Dhabi Digital Authority and Abu Dhabi Police have announced they have introduced an artificial intelligence system to detect traffic violations in the Emirate. The Vehicular Attention and Safety Tracker or VAST system will come into force on 1 January 2021 and will enable the automatic detection of seatbelt and mobile phone use violations.
Weekly Spotlight
The UAE’s Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship has announced visa violators have until 31 December to leave. The grace period applies to those whose visas expired before 1 March.
If they leave before 31 December, they will not face fines or administrative penalties.
They are instructed to book flights and leave before 31 December. Those who want to leave from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah airports must arrive at the airport at least six hours before the flight is due to leave. While those who intend to travel through Dubai and Al Maktoum airports will have to report at the Dubai Civil Aviation Security Centre 48 hours before their flight is due to leave. Any dependants sponsored by the visa violator will also have to leave.
News developments
Arabtec is going to file an insolvency liquidation application as soon as possible with the relevant courts in the UAE. It will be filed following approval at the company’s General Assembly. The application will also request Arabtec Construction LLC, Arabtec Constructions LLC, Austrian Arabian Readymix Concrete Co LLC and Arabtec Precast LLC also be placed into insolvent liquidation. No applications involving the company’s other subsidiaries will be made. Until an insolvency trustee is appointed, the Company will continue engaging with key stakeholders to explore options to preserve value and where possible avoid these subsidiaries needing to be placed into a formal insolvency process. It follows two months of consultations with all of the company’ relevant stakeholders.
News developments
Qatar’s Central Bank has dismissed reports ATM withdrawal limits have been imposed. The reports were published on social media. According to the posts, limits of 5,000 Riyals will be imposed. The Bank added a circular attached to the posts is a forgery.
News developments
Oman’s Labour Minister has announced they have issued Oman Ministerial Decision No. 232/2020 on Omanisation and Professions and Visas of Foreign Workers. It gives employers between 6 December 2020 and 6 January 2021 to reconcile the situations of their non-Omani employees. The extension has been given to particular situations including, non-Omani employees who need to transfer to another profession because their current profession has been given to an Omani national and need to amend their details accordingly. Other illegible transfers of non-Omani employees include the transfer from a suspended profession to another and the transfer from a lower profession to a higher one or vice versa. The Decision also allows employers to amend the wages of non-Omani employees in line with the approved employment contract.
News developments
According to local newspaper reports, Kuwait’s Commerce and Industry Ministry has announced it has launched an online service for the issuing of general import licences. Applicants can apply via http://eapp.moci.gov.kw/. All companies have been urged to use the e-service. It is part of the Ministry’s digitalisation efforts.
