Bahrain stepped up restrictions on walk-in visas as part of a crackdown on illegal immigrants

In addition to the new rules introduced earlier this year regarding on-the-spot entry permits for expatriates, walk-in visitors to the Kingdom are now also being asked more questions before they are allowed into the country, General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence human and financial resources director Nayef Al Sherooqi told the Gulf Daily News (GDN) paper.

New rules were introduced earlier this year stating expatriate residents from GCC countries were no longer allowed on-the-spot entry permits unless they fell into senior management, professional or business categories, the daily said.Authorities said they were forced to restrict access because of cheats who use such visas to slip into Bahrain and stay on illegally, it added.

"This may have led to some nationals of countries who are allowed visas on arrival being turned away at Bahrain entry points," Al Sherooqi said."There is no change in the nationalities allowed in after getting visas on arrival but we are now asking questions under new rules that were implemented in February,” he told GDN."New rules are being enforced to keep a check on who enters Bahrain, rather than them just walking in."

As per the rules, visitors from 36 countries will be given walk-in visas by showing a return ticket, proof of enough money to cover their stay and a recognised address.

New questions visitors have to answer where they will be staying during their visit and if they have enough funds to support the length of their stay, GDN said,

They were earlier allowed in without those questions being asked, it added.According to Gulf Daily News, the 36 countries include Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy and Japan.

Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, the US and the Vatican are also included."We are sure we are not rejecting any bona fide visitor," Al Sherooqi told the daily.

National ID card to allow e-payments in future

Governments in the Middle East are working with Singapore-based cashless payment experts Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) on a project that will see National ID cards used to make electronic payments.

According to Ang Sok Hong, VP of Switching and Internet Business at NETS, the Government of Oman will be the first to take the leap. The country is already implementing a new 'ePurse' service, which was developed with the support of NETS.

ePurse, which will be rolled out in stages, will initially see ID cards equipped with e-payment capabilities used by the Oman Police Force later this year with the aid of special payment terminals.

NETS has been at the forefront of cashless payment in Singapore for twenty five years now and boasts a merchant partner network of more than 15,000 in the island country.

Middle East to provide the "the technical know-how" of building the ePurse system for each Gulf country, along with the necessary cards, payment terminals and back-end structure. Hong admits the company is in discussions with the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan for a similar service, but expects greater traction once Oman goes live with ePurse this year.

According to the deputy head of the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), Dr. Ali Al Khouri, a little over 1.8 million Emiratis and residents have registered for National ID cards in the United Arab Emirates so far.

Mohammed bin Rashid endorses bylaws of the federal human resources law

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has endorsed the bylaws of the federal human resources law.

The move comes within the government's efforts to establish clear standards and effective managerial governmental measures to develop the human resources, clarify duties and rights of employees in the federal government and provide an appropriate work environment for all employees, who number about 80, 000.

The provisions of the new bylaws will be applicable to all staff in the federal agencies covered by the decision. The human resources departments in these federal agencies will implement the law as published in the Official Gazette. The Federal Authority for Human Resources authority could be referred to in case anything hampers the implementation of the new executive regulation.

The new bylaw includes all regulations, details on the rights and functions of employees, employment operations, evaluation, motivation rules, leaves, penal codes and others pertinent to human resources at the federal agencies. Endorsed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the new regulation has delegated greater powers to the ministries, federal public institutions, especially in employment and more flexibility in types of employment as per actual needs of these agencies as stated by the executive regulation.

The new regulation also stated importance of periodic evaluation of employees, linking that with promotion and incentives systems to create fair and encouraging environment for work and production. The bylaw explains in detail the leaves, allowances, bonuses and promotions the federal government civil servants are entitled to according to their grades in addition to powers of transfer, secondment and delegation within the federal entities.

The regulation also defines the mechanisms for fixing working hours, official holidays and compensations for weekly offs, as well as mechanisms for investigation of irregularities, complaints and grievances.

The bylaw has been issued as part of the government's drive for the restructuring of procedures and human resources' law in the federal government, and launching of a set of tailored initiatives and systems to meet human requirements and achieve long-term developmental goals. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

Free insurance scheme launched for Indian labourers in Bahrain

A free insurance scheme for 100,000 low-paid Indian labourers in Bahrain has been launched, it was reported on Tuesday.

The scheme, set up by the Indian Embassy, offers medical coverage for worksite injuries and will pay up to BD1,000 in the event a worker dies, the Gulf Daily News reports.

Officials told the paper the insurance scheme will benefit about 140,000 labourers who earn less than BD150 ($398) a month.The scheme, announced on Monday, began on June 1 and will provide cover until May 31, 2011.

The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF), which operates the policy, has paid a BD15,000 premium to cover all Indian laboreports.urers who earn less than BD150 a month with the New India Assurance Company, the paper

UAE approves final draft of foreign ownership bill

The UAE has moved a step closer to issuing a new companies law that may allow 100 percent foreign ownership in some sectors, after its ministerial committee for legislation approved the final draft.

UAE newspaper Al Ittihad said on Monday, citing the legal advisor at the ministry of economy, the draft awaited approval from the cabinet, before final endorsement from the federal national council.

The advisor, Ahmed Moussa,  there were at least five legislative projects in the works, planned for completion before the end of the year.By UAE law, only nationals are allowed full ownership of companies operating outside of free zones. The law requires foreigners to have a UAE national as a partner or sponsor to conduct business.

In February, Qatar issued a law allowing full ownership of companies for expatriates in certain sectors. (Reuters)

One-year ban imposed by the Ministry

I worked in a company and ended my relationship with them six months ago. A one-year ban was imposed on me by the Ministry of Labour as per the request of the employer and then I left the country. Presently, the employer is ready to provide me with a letter to submit before the Ministry of Labour to lift such ban, however, some friends told me that the one-year ban can not be lifted at the sponsor’s request, this is applicable to the six months ban only which can be lifted as per the earlier sponsor request. Please advise.

A one-year ban made at the sponsor’s request can be lifted as per the request of such sponsor.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants

GCCs urge set out duties for workers' recruitment agencies-99th annual conference of the International Labour Organisation

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states stressed on Friday that the proposed international agreements on domestic workers should discuss the duties of recruitment agencies that brought the workers from abroad.

According to Kuwait's newswire Kuna, this came in a speech by Director of the General Immigration Department of Kuwait's Interior Ministry, Major General Kamil Al Awadhi, on behalf of the GCC states, at the 99th annual conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

He said that it was important that recruitment agencies brief the domestic workers about their rights and duties, as well as the culture of the societies that they would be working in.

Al Awadhi stressed that domestic workers in the Gulf countries lived in the houses of citizens and were treated as members of the families at which they worked.

They get proper accommodation and meals, he pointed out.According to Kuna, the GCC states coordinate with each other and exchange information on policies regarding dealing with workers, the minister said.The member states issue joint regulations and review them regularly, he highlighted, emphasising that GCC countries were keen on preventing human trafficking and on protecting the rights of foreign workers in compliance with international conventions, the newswire added.

Al Awadhi said that the increase in the number of domestic workers in the Gulf region created great challenges that were dealt with seriously.Kuwait is representing the GCC states at the conference that will conclude on June 18.

The Kuwaiti delegation taking part in the event is headed by Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Dr. Mohammad Al Afasi, Kuna added.