LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait: Children of Kuwaiti Women to Get Permanent Residence

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Women and Family Committee has approved a proposal to give permanent residence to children of Kuwaiti women who are married to non-Kuwaitis. They will also get priority in employment after Kuwaitis and be treated like Kuwaitis in Ministries and Government institutions. Additionally, the Head of the Committee has announced the Committee has called for centres to shelter women and children who are domestic violence victims. They also called for the approval of the Implementing Regulations to the Domestic Violence Law to be expedited.

News developments

Dubai: Government Information Leakers Identified

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The General Secretariat of the Dubai Executive Council have announced the Dubai authorities have identified Government information leakers. The individuals attempted to disclose this information. They attempted to do so through messaging applications and social media platforms. Those who leak this information will be punished. The authorities added Government employees should comply with policies and procedures on the dissemination and exchange of Government information and upholding confidentiality and privacy.

News developments

Bahrain: Penalties for Not Reporting Medical Profession Crimes Announced

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Foreign, Defence and National Security Committee of Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a proposal to increase the penalties for those who refuse to report medical profession crimes. This relates to individuals who must do so because of their legal capacity. They should report any information which might help any suspected crimes be discovered. The law proposes replacing the text of Article 231 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 15/1976 (the Penal Code) by increasing the penalties for those who work in the medical professions but fail to report suspected crimes. Under the amendment, the jail term would be between three months and a year and a fine of between 200 and 2,000 Dinars.

News developments

Abu Dhabi: Exchange Trading Commissions Reduced

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Securities Exchange has announced it will reduce the total commissions for the trading activities on all deals which happen from this month. It is part of its ADX One strategy which is aimed at doubling the market value of the companies listed in the market over the next three years. This is the second time the Exchange has reduced commissions on transactions over the last two years to improve market liquidity.

Weekly Spotlight

Saudi Arabia: Raft of Judicial Reforms including a new Civil Transactions Law Announcement

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince has announced a raft of judicial reforms including a new Civil Transactions Law are on the way. A new Personal Status Law, Penal Code for Discretionary Sanctions and Law of Evidence will also be introduced.
Once the draft laws are finalised, they will be referred to the Cabinet and other relevant bodies to consider. Once the Cabinet and other relevant bodies have reviewed them, they will be submitted to the Shoura Council to consider. They will be drafted in line with Sharia Law and the Kingdom’s international and regional treaty obligations.
They will help clarify the lines of accountability and ensure the consistency of legal references to limit discrepancies in court rulings. Discrepancies in court rulings have led to a lack of clarity in the rules governing incidents and practices as well as prolonging cases which are not based on established legal provisions and creating a lack of a clear legal framework for individuals and businesses.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Major Airline Company to be Established

05/02/202105/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has announced its intention to plans to establish a major airline company in the Kingdom. It will compete with State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines and other major aviation companies in the region. The Fund has made significant progress in establishing an aviation company which will operate both international and domestic flights. The aim is offer consumers more choice and increase the contribution of the aviation sector to the country’s GDP.

News developments

Qatar: Transport and Communications Ministry has announced it has published the guidelines to Qatar Law No. 13/2016 (the Personal Data Privacy Protection Law)

05/02/202105/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Compliance and Data Protection Department of Qatar’s Transport and Communications Ministry has announced it has published the guidelines to Qatar Law No. 13/2016 (the Personal Data Privacy Protection Law). They provide a set of guidelines, controls, assistance tools, checklists and templates for regulated entities covered by the Law to support compliance with it. They also include guidance for individuals to be more aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Law. Regulated entities should refer to them and adapt according to their individual role either as data processor or data controller, without prejudice to the Law to avoid liability. They were issued on Data Privacy Day. They are aimed at helping individuals, regulated entities and stakeholders understand their respective responsibilities, rights and practices under the Law. They have also been introduced as part of efforts to implement the Law.

News developments

Oman: GCC Investors Do Not Need Residence Card

05/02/202105/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Ministry has confirmed GCC investors do not need a residence card. It follows rumours on social media that GCC citizens need a lease contract and a municipal license to obtain a residence card. The Ministry confirmed GCC citizens are treated the same as Omani citizens. They are working with the Royal Oman Police Directorate-General of Civil Status. The Ministry added they do not ask GCC investors to obtain residence cards to get a commercial registration or facilitate the establishment of a business in the Sultanate.

News developments

Kuwait: Employment of Domestic Workers Suspended

05/02/202105/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s General Authority of Manpower has announced the workflow which should be followed by an employer if a domestic worker leaves to go to an unknown body or destination. The Authority said the employer should record a notice of absence of the employee in one of the service centres of the Interior Ministry. They should also visit the Department responsible for organising domestic worker recruitment in the Authority and file a complaint against paying for the tickets if the worker was found. The employer can also request compensation for their failure to complete the period. The Authority said if the worker doesn’t complete the first six months of recruitment the office has to refund the full amount.

News developments

Bahrain: Building Law Amendments Approved

05/02/202105/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Public Facilities and Environment Committee of Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a proposal to reduce the fines imposed by the Building Organisation Law by amending Articles 23 and 24 of it. The Committee referred the proposal to the Council to consider. The aim of the amendment is to reduce the fines imposed on those who build a building or work without obtaining the license from the Municipality. The maximum fine will be 500 Dinars instead of between 1,000 and 10.000 Dinars.