LexisNexis Middle East

GCC States Announce Draft Resolution on Maritime Navigation Security

22/04/202622/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

16 April 2026: GCC member states have announced a new draft resolution addressing threats to maritime navigation.

This development has followed rising concerns over threats targeting maritime routes, prompting coordinated regional action to safeguard shipping lanes.

The draft resolution sets out a framework for strengthening maritime security cooperation among GCC countries, including measures aimed at protecting vessels, ensuring safe passage, and enhancing coordination between relevant authorities. It reflects commitments under international maritime law to maintain secure and open sea routes.

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News developments

Bahrain: Parliament Approves Wage Support for Affected Private Sector Workers

22/04/202622/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

15 April 2026: The Bahrain Parliament has approved an urgent proposal to provide wage support for affected private sector workers for April 2026.

The decision was taken during the twenty-sixth ordinary session and extends support from the unemployment fund to groups whose income has been directly impacted. These include professional fishermen, driving instructors, taxi drivers, and bus operators who rely on daily earnings.

MPs have said the measure responds to income disruption faced by workers during a challenging period, with many experiencing a decline in daily revenues. The proposal provides financial support aimed at helping affected individuals manage immediate economic pressures.

The support applies to specified categories within the private sector whose livelihoods depend on daily activity, ensuring continued income assistance through the unemployment fund framework. It is designed as a targeted relief measure to address short-term financial instability.

This is one of the areas where there are crisis shortages.

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News developments

Qatar: Online System Launched for Agricultural Licences and Fertiliser Import Approvals

22/04/202622/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality has introduced an online application system for agricultural business licences and approvals to import restricted fertilisers.

The new platform allows businesses to submit applications, track approvals, and ensure compliance with the legal requirements governing agricultural operations and the importat of controlled fertiliser products.

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News developments

Lexis Middle East HR Alert – March 2026

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

In this edition of Lexis Middle East HR Alert – March 2026, we highlight key legal developments, regulatory updates, and practical HR considerations shaping employment practices across the region. From evolving approaches to employment claims in the UAE to new health and safety frameworks in Saudi Arabia, this issue provides focused insights to help organisations remain compliant and prepared.

As workforce dynamics continue to shift and governments introduce new initiatives to support economic growth and workforce development, employers must balance opportunity with risk. Our contributors explore how to safeguard training investments, manage immigration changes, and respond to increasing litigation trends, offering clear and actionable guidance.

Stay up to date with Lexis Middle East HR Alert — your reliable source for HR and employment law developments across the Middle East.

Happy reading!

FEATURE: THE RIGHT TIME

Asim Ahmed and Ahmed Labib of BSA LAW analyse how recent legal changes and court rulings have impacted limitation periods for employment claims in the UAE.

TREND SETTER: TRAINING SUPPORT

Hashem Alahdal of BSA LAW outlines how employers can protect their investment in employee training amid growing government support initiatives.

NEWS ROUND-UP: COVERING RECENT KEY DEVELOPMENTS – REGION-WIDE

A concise overview of key HR and legal developments from across the region, including updates on Kuwait’s freelance work visa and other regulatory changes impacting employers.

IMMIGRATION FOCUS: RECENT GCC IMMIGRATION AND VISA CHANGES

Sponsored by Vialto Partners, this section reviews key regional updates, including Qatar’s self-sponsored visa developments.

IMMIGRATION FOCUS: PRE-PLANNING FOR HAJJ SEASON

Adel Moumen of Vialto Partners Middle East looks at two concurrent developments which are impacting short term business travel to Saudi.

LAW CHANGES: NEW AND PROPOSED MENA LAWS

Dr. Sairah Narmah-Alqasim of Pinsent Masons reviews Saudi Arabia’s new national health and safety framework under Ministerial Decision No. 64762/1447.

MOVES AND CHANGES

A regional overview of the latest executive movements, leadership appointments, and HR leadership changes across key industries.

Enrich your understanding of the HR landscape and stay up-to-date with the latest trends, cases, and policies through the latest issue of Lexis Middle East – HR Alert.

For all the latest industry updates and developments, opt for a free HR Alert subscription!

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

LMHRA_2026_02_Mar_ePDF

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East HR Alert – previous editions? Click the links below to access and read these editions.

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_May 2025

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_July 2025

Lexis Middle East HR Alert_January 2025

HR PROFILE: A CHANGE IN APPROACH

Natalie Jones of Mishcon de Reya shares insights on employers’ growing willingness to pursue litigation and its impact on HR strategy.

POLICY POINTERS: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Bassem Ehab of Habib Al Mulla and Partners provides practical guidance on managing conflicts of interest in the workplace.

News developments

UAE: CMA Issues Comprehensive Virtual-Assets Regulatory Framework

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The National, 13 April 2026: The UAE’s Capital Market Authority has issued a robust Virtual Assets Framework, establishing a specialised regulatory regime governing the virtual-asset sector.

The framework consists of five core modules:

General Requirements – overarching obligations for virtual-asset providers.
Conduct of Business – licensing, governance, compliance and risk-management rules.
Alternative Trading System (ATS) – dedicated governance for trading platforms, covering virtual and tokenised securities.
Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) – targeted safeguards.
Prudential Requirements – capital adequacy, client protection and operational resilience.

The framework expands regulated activities from three to eight, including:

Dealing in virtual assets as principal
Dealing in virtual assets as agent
Providing custody
Arranging custody
Arranging investment deals
Providing investment advice
Portfolio management
Operating a multilateral trading facility

A dedicated ATS module now regulates trading venues for virtual assets and tokenised securities, reflecting market convergence and evolving business models.

The CMA emphasised that the framework enhances investor protection, market integrity, and innovation, aligning with IOSCO and FATF standards, and upholding the principle: “same activity, same risk, same regulatory outcome”

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: HR Ministry Begins Phase Two of Enforceable Contracts Initiative

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Gazette, 8 April 2026: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has commenced the second phase of making notarised employment contracts legally enforceable, expanding direct wage enforcement rights for workers under fixed-term agreements.

The initiative had been introduced after labour authorities had identified persistent delays and inefficiencies in resolving wage disputes through traditional court procedures. Previously, employees were required to pursue lengthy administrative and judicial routes to claim unpaid salaries.

In the second phase, fixed-term contracts are now eligible to be treated as enforceable documents once updated or renewed. Employers and employees must notarise or update relevant contracts via the Qiwa platform and obtain an enforcement number from the Ministry of Justice’s Documentation Center.

If an employee has not received full wages within 30 days of the due date, or only partial wages after 90 days, they can file an enforcement request through the Najiz platform. The employer then has five days to raise an objection before enforcement action begins. This avoids traditional court filings and accelerates recovery of due wages.

Background: the first phase, launched in October 2025, already allowed newly notarised contracts to be directly enforceable. The third phase will extend the regime to open-ended contracts, completing the rollout.

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News developments

Qatar: Full Maritime Traffic Resumes Amid Security Controls

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 April 2026: Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has reinstated full maritime traffic for all vessels from Sunday, 12 April 2026, operating daily from 6 am to 6 pm, while licensed fishing boats may continue around the clock.

The resumption follows a phased return after operators had previously restricted vessel movements to mitigate regional tensions. Under the updated directive, all vessel types can now navigate Qatari territorial waters within set hours. Licensed fishing vessels continue to enjoy 24/7 passage.

Vessels must comply with safety regulations: operators are required to verify safety and security equipment prior to and during voyages. Authorities also cautioned against unjustified price increases, warning that surcharges during the transition would be monitored under commercial and maritime laws.

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News developments

Oman: Ministry Enacts Unified IT Risk‑Management Policy for Government

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 8 April 2026: Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has issued a mandatory IT Risk Management Policy applicable to all government agencies, aimed at strengthening cyber resilience and protecting public digital assets.

The policy was introduced after the Ministry identified inconsistent IT risk oversight across government units. Previously, entities operated under fragmented practices, leading to varied levels of preparedness and potential vulnerabilities.

Under the new framework, all units of the State’s administrative apparatus—including contractors and IT service providers—must integrate IT risk management into their core operations. The policy requires entities to maintain documented risk registers, regularly conduct risk assessments, establish incident‑response and risk‑treatment plans, escalate high‑impact risks to senior leadership, and embed risk clauses in IT contracts.

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News developments

Kuwait: New Decree Tightens Citizenship Rules and Expands Revocation Powers

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 13 April 2026: Kuwait has enacted Kuwait Decree-Law No. 52/2026, amending its Citizenship Law under Kuwait Emiri Decree No. 15/1959 On Kuwait Nationality Law to tighten nationality rules, expand revocation authorities, and bolster state control over naturalisation.

Kuwait Decree-Law No. 52/2026 was published in the Official Gazette and is immediately effective. It replaces key provisions and removes outdated sections of the existing law, providing a comprehensive update to the nationality framework.

Key reforms include:

Revised eligibility: Citizenship by descent is confirmed for anyone born to a Kuwaiti father, regardless of birthplace. Eligibility definitions for those of Kuwaiti origin (pre‑1920) have been refined.
Naturalisation rules revamped: Foreign spouses will no longer automatically acquire citizenship; children of naturalised parents are now classified as naturalised and may opt for nationality at adulthood.
Women’s nationality rights: Kuwaiti women retain nationality if they marry foreigners, unless they voluntarily renounce it. Special provisions now allow children of Kuwaiti mothers to acquire nationality temporarily.
Strengthened revocation and withdrawal: Citizenship may be lost for voluntarily acquiring foreign nationality, fraud, criminal conduct, disloyalty, or service to hostile states. Restoration is permitted under specified conditions including residency and renunciation requirements.
Enforcement tools: Minister of Interior gains expanded authority to decide nationality issues, including for children born to Kuwaiti mothers. Use of scientific evidence such as DNA and biometrics is now authorised. Penalties for false claims include up to 3 years’ imprisonment and KD 3,000 fine, increasing to 7 years and KD 5,000 for deliberate fraud.

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News developments

Dubai: Real Estate and Residency Services Unified Under Single System

17/04/202617/04/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 April 2026: Dubai has moved to integrate real estate and residency services under a single government system following a memorandum of understanding between GDRFA Dubai and the Dubai Land Department.

The agreement brings Golden Residency, Retiree Residency and Property Residency services onto one platform, allowing applicants to complete procedures through a single channel instead of dealing with multiple authorities. Previously, property‑linked residency applications required coordination across separate real estate and immigration systems.

Authorities stated that the integration will simplify procedures, improve processing efficiency, and enhance the experience for residents, investors and property owners, while strengthening regulatory coordination between land registration and residency authorities.

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