Latest In Brief
Latest updates
Bahrain shortens summer midday work ban period
Bahrain’s cabinet has recently revised the summer midday work ban for employees working outdoors under the sun, reducing it from three months to two and a half months.
Kuwait freelancer's visa
Kuwait plans to introduce a ‘freelancers’ visa category, according to local media. The visa was supposed to launch by mid-April 2026. However, given the ongoing conflict and the extent to which Kuwait has been impacted, the timeline may change.
UAE Ratifies the ILO Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention
The UAE has recently ratified the ILO’s 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention. While this is a step in the right direction, unless the Kafala system is dismantled, eradication of forced labour would not be possible.
Saudi Arabia Implements Stricter Wage Protection Regulations
Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of measures to strengthen wage protection for workers, including streamlining the enforcement process for delayed wages, inspecting firms that fail to abide by wage protection regulations, and launching the fourth phase of the wage protection system for domestic workers.
Philippines increases minimum wage for domestic workers; excludes GCC
The Philippines government has increased the minimum wage for overseas Filipino domestic workers to US$500, a 25% increase from its current requirement of US$400. However, within weeks of the decision, the Southeast Asian country–one of the largest source of domestic workers in the GCC–announced the increase would not apply to the region.
Oman Announces Amnesty Period for Migrants Until End of July
Oman recently announced an amnesty period that allows migrant workers with irregular status to transfer employment without paying fines. Migrants on non-work-related permits are permitted to leave the country permanently without incurring penalties. The amnesty period is set to end on July 31.
Saudi Arabia Announces 6-Month Amnesty Period for ‘Absconding’ Domestic Workers
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced a six-month grace period, starting 11 May 2025, to regularise the status of domestic workers reported as absconding from work.
Kuwait Opens Its First Shelter for Male Migrants
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower has recently opened the country’s first shelter for male migrants. According to authorities, the facility will provide essential services, including legal support and healthcare, to male migrant workers in both the domestic and private sectors.
Bahrain Introduces Six-Month Work Permit for Migrant Workers Residing in Bahrain
Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority has announced the introduction of six-month work permits for migrant workers already residing in Bahrain. This new permit option complements the existing one- and two-year permits, but is not available to workers newly recruited from abroad.
Kuwait to Digitise Labour Complaints and Ban Companies That Violate Work Permit Regulations from Issuing New Ones
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower has announced plans to fully digitize labour complaints in the private sector, eliminating in-person visits except for hearings. A new Ministerial Order also bans companies violating work permit rules from hiring new workers.
Qatar’s Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund: Tall Claims and Not Enough Data
The executive director of Qatar’s Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF), Kholoud Saif Abdullah Al Kubaisi, recently stated that “over 130,000 workers have benefitted from the fund since its establishment, including its significant contribution to protecting their rights and ensuring that they receive their financial dues.” Though Al Kubaisi spoke of the fund’s transparency and its role alongside wider reforms in “reducing labour disputes and complaints,” there are still several issues that remain unaddressed.
Bangladesh intensifies efforts for more labour recruitment to Saudi
Bangladesh is pushing hard to send more migrant workers to Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom prepares for various mega projects, including the FIFA World Cup 2034. Saudi hosts the largest number of overseas Bangladeshis – three million – who constitute the single largest expatriate nationality in the country. Bangladesh continues to accept many of the Kingdom's conditions without critique, despite the financial burden it places on its citizens. Nevertheless, other labour sending countries are likely to deploy similar strategies to get a share of the opportunities that Saudi is likely to offer over the next decade.
Qatar Launches Amnesty for Migrants with Irregular Immigration Status
Qatar has launched a three-month amnesty period starting from 9 February 2025, allowing foreign residents with irregular immigration status to exit the country without penalties. It is not clear if residents would be able to regularise their status. Workers can exit the country through Hamad International Airport, or alternatively, they can visit the Search and Follow-up Department on Salwa Road to complete departure procedures within the specified period.
Kuwait Waives Permit Fees for Migrants Over 60 Without Degrees and Eases Job Transfers
Kuwait recently issued a decision to revoke Article 1 of the Public Authority for Manpower Decision No. 294 of 2023, which required migrants aged over 60 and without a university degree to pay an additional annual fee of KD 250 (US$810) and obtain private health insurance.
Saudi Arabia Scores FIFA 2034 World Cup Bid - Opens in new tab
Saudi Arabia has been declared the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, with no other bidders vying for the hosting rights. Our latest newsletter provides a summary of our recent reporting and offers insights into what this monumental event — and Saudi’s wider hyper-development — might mean for the country’s 11 million migrant workers.
UAE Extends its Amnesty Period Until 31 December
The UAE's Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security announced that it has extended its amnesty for migrants with irregular immigration status until the end of the year.