Latest In Brief
Latest updates
UAE announces 3-month Amnesty starting August 1st
The UAE has announced a three-month amnesty starting on August 1st, 2018. The amnesty will allow migrants who have overstayed their residency to either remain in the country by regularizing their status and paying a fee, or leave the UAE without legal penalties. Migrants who entered the country irregularly will also be allowed to leave without penalty.
Kuwait and Philippines sign domestic labour agreement; Philippines lifts ban
Kuwait and the Philippines have signed a MoU on the employment of domestic workers. Provisions of the agreement include commitments to 24/7 hotline and creation of a special police unit to respond to complaints, guaranteed access to phones, and a prohibition against confiscation of passports. The Philippines' ban on workers to Kuwait was lifted shortly after the agreement was signed.
Bahrain may provide free healthcare for domestic workers
Bahrain's parliament has voted to extend free healthcare to all domestic workers. The move is part of a rehaul of the national insurance scheme, which is now under consideration by the Shura Council.
Philippines and Kuwait to sign labour agreement before Ramadan
The Philippines and Kuwait are set to a sign a labour agreement before Ramadan begins. According to the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment, the agreement is finalised and awaiting signature from President Duerte.
UAE allows 'high-skilled' workers to work more than one employer
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced a decision last week that allows some workers to work for multiple employers. These part-time contracts are only available to "highly-skilled" workers with a university degree or diploma.
Kuwait: Proposed fees on expatriate remittances and increases in residency fees come closer to fruition
A bill to tax expatriate remittances has been approved by Kuwait's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, and now awaits approval by the Parliament at large. The proposed fees are staggered by salary. A bill to increase residency fees for expatriate workers is also close to being referred to Parliament.
External monitor release report on Qatar's World Cup sites
An external monitoring report on Qatar's World Cup sites has been released, finding ongoing issues with excessive working hours and contact substitution, as well as improvements in workers representation and repayment of recruitment fees.
Oman places new restrictions on remittances
Oman has announced new restrictions on sending money through exchange houses. Customers must now declare the source of their funding if the amount to be remitted is greater than their salary, or greater than OMR400 (USD 1,040).
Kuwait declares amnesty; fails to solve problem of non-payment
The Kuwait government has declared an amnesty for irregular migrants effective Jan 29 to Feb 22. Update: The amnesty has been extended until April 22.
Saudi and Uganda Sign New Labour Agreement
A new General Labour Recruitment Bilateral Agreement signed between Uganda and Saudi Arabia allows for Ugandan professionals and manual labourers, such as doctors, engineers, carpenters and welders, to seek employment in the Kingdom.
Ethiopia and UAE agree to expedite finalization of BLA
Ethiopia and the UAE have agreed to expedite a labour exchange agreement, under discussion between the two countries for the last several years.
UAE to require ‘certificate of good conduct’ for residency and work visas
Starting in February 2018, expats applying for work and residency visas will need to provide a certificate of good conduct issued by their home country, or their country of residence for the last five years.
Bahrain announces minimum 400 BH monthly salary for family visas
Bahrain has raised the minimum salary required for foreigners to obtain family visas from BHD250 (USD660) to BHD400 (USD1,060). Expats currently sponsoring families under the previous visa rule are excluded from the requirement.
Dubai to appoint judges panel for domestic workers - Opens in new tab
Dubai’s labour court announces this week that it will appoint a panel of judges to review cases involving by domestic workers. According to the National, the panel is set to sit for the first time in November.
Oman reduces minimum salary required to bring families
Oman has reduced the minimum salary required for expat workers to obtain residence visas for their dependents from OMR600/month (USD 1558.44) to OMR300 (USD779.22)/month.
UAE Approves Law on Domestic Workers
On September 26, the UAE announced that Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved the country’s first law on domestic workers. The law will come into force once relevant executive regulations and standard job contracts are finalised.