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.

No family visa cancellation required for job change in UAE

Expatriates changing their jobs in UAE will no longer be required to cancel visas of the family members under their sponsorship.However, they have to deposit a bank guarantee of 5,000 dirhams ($136) for each family member with the Department of Naturalisation and Residency (NRD), a 'Khaleej Times' report said quoting official sources. 

The applicant can get the bank guarantee refunded once he obtains the new residency permit and the residence visas of his family members and sponsored ones will be automatically transferred to him without paying any new fees. 

"The employee or resident must apply to the NRD (before the cancellation procedure) for not cancelling the visas of members of his family or those under his sponsorship. 

He should attach the 5,000 dirhams bank guarantee, the new employment permit issued by the Ministry of Labour to the new sponsor, and the job offer letter from the new employer," Major-General Nasser Al Menhali, Acting Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Naturalisation, Residency and Exit Affairs, told the newspaper. 

He said the latest arrangement is being made with a view to streamlining procedures for expatriate residents without adding to their financial burdens. 

According to the report, the Ministry found that many residents cancelled residence visas of their families and sent them home when they cancelled their own visas even though they have applied for new job visas.