LexisNexis Middle East

Lexis Middle East HR Alert – August 2023 Edition

09/08/202309/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

We are pleased to present the August 2023 edition of Lexis Middle East – HR Alert!

Explore our complimentary publication, the Lexis Middle East – HR Alert, which offers a comprehensive array of insights and updates to keep you well-informed about the latest happenings in the Labor and Employment landscape of the MENA region. We have meticulously brought together the latest HR updates and developments of the region to ensure you stay empowered at all times. The publication showcases significant cases and provides insightful information on HR policies and laws of the region.

Inside this edition, you will find special conversations with leading HR professionals, along with expert advice on upcoming trends in the industry. Stay current and enrich your understanding of HR by diving into the newest release of Lexis Middle East – HR Alert.

This edition presents a diverse range of features:

Feature: Coping with Contracts

Explore the changes to employment contract forms in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Fadi Hassoun and Hadeel Mohamed of Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants provide you with the essential knowledge to navigate these adjustments effectively.

Trend Setter – From Employee Well-Being to Healthy Organisations

Learn from a forward-thinking technology company, Atlas’s perspective on employee well-being and the importance of maintaining healthy organizations. Presented by Sushmita Acharjee, Senior Manager, HR Service Delivery & Benefits for Atlas in Africa & the Middle East.

News Round-up: Covering Recent Key Developments – Region-Wide

Stay abreast of recent developments, including updates on the Omani Social Protection Fund and other significant news items.

Immigration Focus: Recent GCC Immigration and Visa Changes

The dynamics team at Vialto Partners shares the latest immigration updates from the region, including changes in Emiratisation policies specifically affecting small companies.

Additionally, Umme Salma, Senior Manager at Vialto Partners explains why keeping connected and being prepared is so important in corporate immigration.

Law Changes: New and Proposed MENA Laws

Explore the ramifications of a recent Ministerial Decision that has brought about changes to Emiratisation fines, thus changing the legal landscape.

Case Focus:

Delve into a case study involving an employee who initially failed to claim all their entitlements, providing valuable lessons for HR professionals.

HR Profile – Hospitality

Meet Monique Dekker, a Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Hyatt, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in the hospitality sector. Gain insights into managing resilience and growth in this dynamic industry.

Policy Pointers – Family Business Policies

Explore policies tailored for family businesses and their implications. Ayesha Karim, Advocate, shares key insights into the crucial aspect of HR management.

Enrich your understanding of the HR landscape and stay up-to-date with the latest trends, cases, and policies through the newest 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/.

Lexis Middle East HR Alert – August 2023 Edition

Have you read the Lexis® Middle East HR Alert – previous 2023 editions? Click the links below to access and read these editions.

LexisNexis Middle East HR Alert_January 2023

LexisNexis-Middle-East-HR-Alert_March-2023

LexisNexis Middle East HR Alert_May 2023 Edition

News developments

Dubai: New Fine System Speeds Lifting of Travel Bans

09/08/202309/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 8 August 2023: The Dubai Public Prosecution has introduced a smart fine payment service, which will enable individuals convicted in criminal cases to pay their fines electronically and have travel restrictions automatically revoked.

The smart service allows payment related to criminal judgments, in which fines have been issued as judgments in presence, absenteeism, and legal presence. The service covers all stages of litigation, including the primary, appeal, and cassation. After the fine payment, the smart service coordinates with the Dubai Police to cancel arrest warrants and halt searches for the individual.

The smart payment service for fines is a proactive digital service that has been added to the package of prosecution services that are in line with the 360 services policy. It reduces the need to personally visit the Public Prosecution headquarters to announce a default judgement and pay fines.

Individuals will be able to make these payments in three ways.

By the first, they will be able to click on an attached link in the text message sent by the Public Prosecution. After clicking on the link, they are redirected to a page where they can login using a digital ID and then pay the fine electronically.

Fines can also be settled through payment machines for an electronic payment process or at cash payment machines. These machines accept banknotes of all denominations until the fine is fully paid. Alternatively, fines can be paid electronically using cards.

Finally, fines can also be paid on the Public Prosecution website, where the customer logs in by using the digital ID, and pays the fine electronically.

The individual then receives a text message from the Public Prosecution confirming the completion of the payment process. The message also indicates the cancellation of the arrest warrant and that the search for the individual has been stopped.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

UAE: Specialist Prosecution Service For Money Laundering Planned

02/08/202302/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Albayan, 30 July 2023: The Federal Judicial Council has approved a proposal submitted by the Attorney General on the establishment of federal prosecution services which will specialise in economic crimes and money laundering.

The specialist prosecution service will be responsible for investigating economic crimes and money laundering, including those that involve economic interests such as corporate crimes, bankruptcy, regulation of competition, financial markets, intellectual property and trademarks, or those that cover the financial rights of the state such as customs evasion.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Saudi Arabia: SAMA Approves Insurance Financial Technology Rules

02/08/202302/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Almadina, 30 July 2023: The Saudi Central Bank SAMA has approved the insurance financial technology rules. This follows a public consultation on the draft rules through the “Istitlaa” platform.

The changes are a result of the emergence of a number of insurance financial technology companies that are providing various products and services.

The rules protect the rights of those dealing with insurance financial technology practitioners and encourage fair competition in providing technical solutions and services, in order to support the growth and stability of the sector.

For the full story, click her e.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Qatar: E-scooter Guidance

02/08/202302/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Gulf Times, 30 July 2023: The Qatari Ministry of Transport has issued safety guidance on e-scooters.

Riders are being told not to use a mobile phone whilst riding or eating or drinking. In addition, they should not share an e-scooter with another rider. The guidelines also tell riders to maintain a safe distance between themselves and others on the road.

In addition, they should not carry heavy things when riding and use hand signals when turning. They should also only ride in designated areas and paths and wear safety gear and protective equipment. Brakes should be tested at the start of every journey and riders should follow traffic signals and signs.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Oman: New Decision on Commercial Concealment

02/08/202302/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Atheer, 30 July 2023: Oman Ministerial Decision No. 312/2023 on combating commercial concealment has been issued.

The decision comes into force after 90 days from the date its publication on 30t October 2023.

The law includes a definition of concealed trade which is defined as enabling any person to engage in an activity that the laws and royal decrees in force in the Sultanate of Oman do not allow them to practice, whether for their own account or in partnership with others.

The decision stipulates that the Ministry shall encourage citizens and residents by any means and urge them to contribute to limiting and reporting cases of concealed trade.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Kuwait: Child Allowance Increase

02/08/202302/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Kuwait Times, 31 July 2023: Kuwait’s National Assembly’s financial and economic affairs committee has approved a proposal to increase the social allowance for children from 50 to 100 Dinars per child per month.

The allowance will also apply to any number of children, as the current limit of seven children has been removed. The proposal must now be approved by the Assembly and then accepted by the government to become effective.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Abu Dhabi: Lawyer Faces Legal Action for Fabricating a Case

02/08/202302/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 31 July 2023: The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution has summoned a lawyer for investigation after she posted a video about a court case in order to gain followers. The information spread in the video stated a father who had been sued by a son for insulting him had been convicted in court, which was false.

Authorities urged people spreading information in videos to make sure it has been verified by official sources.

Spreading rumours and false news can lead to a sentence of at least one year in prison and a fine of not less than 100,000 AED.

Article 52 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021 states “Whoever uses the information network or any information technology means to announce, disseminate, re-disseminate, circulate, or recirculate false news or data, or false, tendentious, misleading or erroneous rumors or reports, contrary to what has been officially announced; or broadcasts any provocative advertisements that would incite or provoke the public opinion, shall be punished with at least one year of imprisonment and a fine of not less than 100,000 AED.”

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Oman: Changes on Bounced Cheques being Considered

01/08/202301/08/2023
by Tanya Jain

Oman Daily Observer, 30 July 2023: According to the Oman Central Bank, authorities in Oman are considering a change to the approach on bounced cheques.

Authorities are considering whether to allow partial fulfilment of bounced cheques where there are insufficient amounts in the drawer’s account to cover the full amount on the cheque. The Central Bank noted in its recently issued Financial Stability 2023 Report that methods which would allow the maximum possible cheque value to be collected in the simplest and fastest way were being looked into. Bounced cheques have been reducing with the increased use in electronic transactions. In 2022, 387,000 cheques bounced in Oman (which accounted for 10.3% of cheques) compared with 399,000 in the year 2018.

According to the Omani Central Bank, some other countries have already begun to partially fulfill bounced cheques to the amount available in the drawer’s account.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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

News developments

Oman: Unified Contracts Initiative

28/07/202328/07/2023
by Tanya Jain

Oman Daily Observer, 25 July 2023: A new Oman Labour Law, Oman Sultani Decree No. 53/2023 has been issued.

The law repeals and replaces Oman Sultani Decree No. 35/2003. It reaffirms that employment is an intrinsic right for Omanis and states no other are allowed to work in the country except in accordance with the laws and related decisions. It underlines the importance of employers having a plan for localisation which is published in their workplace and website. They will also be required to produce a report on Omani workers including their salaries, gender and information on job vacancies. Employers must also have a plan on appointing and training Omanis for leadership roles.

Joint Dialogue Committee will be established which will examine proposals for regulating the labour market.

It contains provisions on working hours, leave, salaries, employment of young people, and occupational health and safety. It also covers the settlement of labour disputes, trade unions and penalties.

A number of provisions have been put in place to support women workers including the allocation of an hour a day for child care, a 98 day maternity leave provision, and the right to take unpaid leave for up to a year for childcare reasons.

There is also now seven day paternity leave and a 15 day caregiver leave – where an employee needs to accompany a patient. Sick leave levels have also been increased.

In workplaces with more than 25 workers, a special rest place must be provided for women.

Employees will be entitled to up to 182 days sick leave, subject to certain conditions. Full pay will be given for the first day to the 21st day; 75 per cent of salary for 22nd to 35th; 50 per cent for 36th to 70th; and 35 per cent for 71st to 182nd day.

Workplaces in specific sectors will be able to be organised in such a way that is unique to the conditions of that sector. Employers will also be allowed to let their employees work temporarily for another employer.

The law allows non-Omani employees’ employment to be terminated if this is in order to facilitate Omanisation and the employee replacing them is an Omani. There are also provisions on termination of an employee who fails to achieve required productivity levels. Employers are required to put an appraisal system in place.

Fifteen days of study leave will be granted to employees enrolled in schools, institutes, or universities.

Female Muslim workers will also be entitled to 130 days of leave in case of their husband’s death; while a non-Muslim woman would be granted 14 days.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

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