Bahrain Archives - Page 18 of 27 - LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: Telecommunication Regulatory Authority Signs Cooperation Agreement with Arab Centre for Dispute Resolution

19/03/202119/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has signed a cooperation agreement with the Arab Centre for Dispute Resolution. The agreement aims to organise and manage disputes relating to the BH and Albahrain’ Internationalised Domain Name domain names. The Centre will coordinate with complainants, respondents and registrars to complete the necessary documents for filing cases, in addition to the panellists adopted by the Centre.

News developments

Bahrain: Minimum Salary for Sponsoring Family Members Increased

12/03/202112/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Interior Minister has issued a Decision to increase the minimum monthly salary requirement for expatriates looking to sponsor their family members. Previously, the minimum monthly salary requirement was 250 Dinars. It has now been increased to 400 Dinars. To sponsor children who are over 24 or parents, the minimum monthly salary has to be at least 1,000 Dinars. They must also have valid health insurance in Bahrain. The Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs may issue exceptions.

News developments

Bahrain: Visa Fees to be Paid When Visas Issued

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs has announced that from 7 March 2021, the entry visa approval fee will have to be paid when the approval of the application is made instead of collecting it from the traveller at the port on arrival. The fee is five Dinars. The aim is to save time and facilitate the procedures for entering the country. It will not apply to visa issued before 7 March 2021.

Weekly Spotlight

Bahrain: The King of Bahrain has ratified and issued Bahrain Law No. 4/2021

19/02/202119/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The King of Bahrain has ratified and issued Bahrain Law No. 4/2021 issuing the Corrective Justice Law for Children and protecting them from ill-treatment after it was approved by the Shura Council and Parliament. The law aims to achieve corrective justice.
Courts called “Child Correctional Justice Courts” will be established in Bahrain with the jurisdiction to adjudicate on criminal cases arising from crimes committed by children over the age of 15 years at the time of committing the crime.
A committee called “Judicial Committee” has also been established to examine cases of exposure of the child to danger or ill-treatment referred to it by the competent prosecution office. A centre called the Child Protection Centre has also been established in the Ministry concerned with Social Development Affairs. This will develop plans and programmes to ensure the protection of children from abuse. The law also specifies penalties for those who incite or coerce a child to commit crimes, prepare them for that, or assist them and facilitate this.

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

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.

News developments

Bahrain: E-commerce Activities Decision Issued

29/01/202129/01/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister has issued an Edict on e-commerce activities for companies with foreign capital. Under Bahrain Edict No. 6/2021, businesses with foreign stakes and a minimum investing capital of BHD 50,000 can participate in e-commerce activities. It repeals Article 55 of Bahrain Edict No. 17/2018, relating to commercial activities for companies with foreign capital. The Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister will be responsible for implementing the Edict. It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on its issued date.

News developments

Bahrain: Termination Notice Period Increased for Certain Professions

22/01/202122/01/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Services Committee of Bahrain’s Parliament has approved amendments to Article 99(A) of Bahrain Law No. 36/2012 (the Private Sector Labour Law). The amendment will increase the notice period for terminating employment contracts to four months in professions where there are difficulties in finding a candidate to fill the vacancy at short notice. The Labour and Social Development Ministry has criticised this proposal for damaging the interests of employees if they were the one wanting to end the contract. They could give notice of 30 days under the contract. If the period is increased, the employee might miss the opportunity to join another job which might be better for them.

News developments

Bahrain: American Trade Zone to be Established

15/01/202115/01/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry has signed a cooperation agreement with the US Commerce Department to establish an American trade zone in the Kingdom. The cooperation agreement is aimed at improving economic, commercial and industrial cooperation and increase bilateral trade between the two countries. The American Trade Zone in Bahrain will allow American companies to operate in an area equipped for goods to be exchanged and comprehensive logistical solutions. It will also allow export operations through Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain International Airport and King Fahd Causeway or through any other ports to be established in the future in Bahrain via tailored customs solutions.

News developments

Bahrain: Commercial Companies Law Amendments Approved

09/01/202109/01/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a recommendation from the Financial and Economic Committee on amendments to the Commercial Companies Law. The aim is to introduce more investment choices and remove investment obstacles. A Bahraini MP has confirmed the importance of the law but said they hoped it comes in the form of a draft law to make it possible to amend some of its paragraphs which the chamber had some reservations on.