Bahrain Archives - Page 18 of 27 - LexisNexis Middle East

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.

News developments

Bahrain: Approves Accession to Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting

18/12/202018/12/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Cabinet has approved a memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the Kingdom’s accession to the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI).

News developments

Bahrain: Tougher Penalties for Eavesdropping and Spying Proposed

04/12/202004/12/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Foreign, Defence, and National Security Affairs Committee of Bahrain’s Parliament has proposed tougher penalties for eavesdropping and spying. They have proposed a draft law to this effect. If approved, it will mean those violating the personal or family privacy of others by eavesdropping, spying in any way or form, or taking photos of videos directly of a person in an inappropriate situation or in a private place will be jailed and/or fined up to 1,000 Dinars. They have also proposed amendments to the country’s Penal Code, to increase the penalties for those who incite pedestrians to make immoral gestures, utter immoral words or anything else on public roads or a popular location. If approved, those found guilty would be jailed for between three and six months or be fined between 100 and 500 Dinars.

Weekly Spotlight

Bahrain: DNA Test Required for Passport to be Issued

27/11/202027/11/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Interior Minister has issued a Decision adding an article to the Implementing Regulations for passports. Under the Decision, the Immigration and Passports Department will now require parents to attach a DNA test report for those born outside Bahrain when requesting a new passport or replacement of an existing passport. Applicants may also be required to include an age determination certificate, any laboratory test or any other examinations. Only medical reports issued by the competent and accredited agencies in Bahrain will be accepted.

News developments

Bahrain: Labour Law Exemptions Approved

13/11/202013/11/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Cabinet has approved exemptions to the Kingdom’s Labour Law. Players, coaches and members of technical, administrative, medical and arbitration teams of private bodies working in the youth and sports fields will be exempt from the Private Sector Labour Law. They will also be excluded from the remit of the Social Insurance Law as their clubs pay their insurance contributions. However, they will only be exempt if two draft laws to this effect are approved. The first draft law will replace Article 2(a) of Bahrain Law No. 36/2012 (the Private Sector Labour Law) and the second draft law will add Article 3(12) to Bahrain Decree-Law No. 24/1976 (the Social Insurance Law). The draft laws have been referred to the Legislative Authority to consider. The amendments were proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs.