Latest In Brief
Latest updates
Kuwait introduces changes to its work permit regulations
Effective June 2024, Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower will introduce new fees for work permits and sponsorship transfers, and remove fees for companies that recruit beyond their visa allocations.
Saudi Arabia revises its regulations for absconding domestic workers
Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia who are reported as absconding will soon have a two-month grace period to leave the country before their status becomes irregular. Workers with over two years of service will have the additional option to transfer sponsorship.
Health insurance to be made mandatory across all Emirates of the UAE
Starting next year, employer-provided health insurance coverage will be mandatory for all private-sector and domestic workers across the UAE, following a nationwide health insurance mandate ratified by the Emirati cabinet.
Kuwait Amnesty 3 months
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior recently announced a three-month amnesty period that allows residents with expired visas to adjust their irregular status after paying a fine, or leave the country without paying a fine.
UAE amends labour litigation rules for disputes of AED 50,000 or less
The UAE’s amended labour litigation regulations came into force last month. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is now empowered to issue final executive decisions concerning individual labour disputes valued at AED 50,000 (US$ 13,613) or less.
Bahrain Updates Visit and Dependent Visas to Work Permit Conversion Rules
Bahrain recently announced that only sponsored visit visas can be converted to work permits, and they must maintain the same sponsor who initially issued the visit visas. The fees for converting visit visas to work permits, visit visas to dependent visas, and dependent visas to work permits have also increased from BD 60 (159 US$) to BD 250 (663 US$).
More migrants caught in trafficking corridor from the UAE to Oman
Several recent reports of Indian domestic workers trapped in Oman indicate that the Sultanate still has not addressed its rife trafficking issues.
Kuwait Resumes Family Visa Applications: Minimum Salary Threshold and Qualifications Raised After Hiatus
Kuwait recently resumed family visa applications for migrant residents. However, residents seeking to sponsor their family members must now earn a monthly salary of KD 800 (US$ 2,600) and possess a university certificate relevant to their job sector.
Oman visit visa conversion suspension and ban on permits for bangladeshi workers
Oman has paused the conversion of tourist and visit visas to work visas for all migrants and has stopped issuing new visas, of any type, to Bangladeshi nationals. The decision will take effect from 31 October 2023 and continue until further notice.
Bahrain introduces amendments to its “Labour Registration Program”
Bahrain has recently expanded its "Labour Registration Program" to include all irregular workers. Previously, only workers who became irregular before the program's introduction on 27 October 2022 were eligible to apply.
Deadline for UAE's unemployment insurance registration passes
The UAE's registration deadline for its private mandatory unemployment insurance scheme officially closed on 1 October 2023. Workers who did not register by this date will face a fine of AED 400 (US$ 109). New workers who join the UAE's labour force have four months to subscribe to the unemployment insurance scheme before incurring fines.
Bahrain’s summer midday work ban concludes, yet the scorching heat persists
Bahrain has officially lifted its midday summer work ban. Starting today, workers labouring outdoors are no longer required to stop work during the hottest hours of the day, even as extreme temperatures and high humidity persist.
Bahrain detains migrant worker protesting over unpaid wages
In a recent case, an Indian worker in Bahrain was arrested for damaging vehicles of the construction company that employed him, in protest against 10 months of unpaid wages. The worker’s desperate actions highlight the difficulty migrants face accessing justice in Bahrain and the shortcomings of recent reforms aimed at tackling wage theft.
UAE intesifies emiratisation
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation recently announced new Emiratisation targets that require private sector companies with 20 to 49 employees to hire at least one UAE citizen in 2024 and a second citizen in 2025.
Oman implements a new Wage Protection System directive for private sector workers
Oman’s Ministry of Labour recently issued a new Wage Protection System (WPS) directive for private sector workers. All private sector workers must be registered under the WPS by the 9th of March 2024.
Bahrain’s Capital Trustees Board
Bahrain’s Capital Trustees Board recently approved recommendations to develop a unified system for collecting outstanding municipal fees and debts from migrants in Bahrain. Under the new system, migrants with unsettled municipality debts will not be allowed to leave the country or use government services.