Gulf news

Firm's partner registered as worker will be treated only as employee

ABU DHABI - An expatriate resident who has been registered with the Ministry of Labour as an employee of a firm but is also a partner will only be considered as an employee. An employee can be the owner or partner of another firm but cannot draw salary as such unless he obtains permission from the m

Can process visa before ban period gets over

A six-month or one year long recruitment ban on a worker cannot be used against issuing a new work permit during the said period, a Ministry of Labour (MoL) official said."This system demonstrates the MoL's commitment to grant the blacklisted worker the opportunity to search for another job. Likewis

Grace period for vehicles registration extended

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) on Tuesday announced extension of the grace period for vehicles whose registration had expired more than two years ago.Pushed from October 2010, the new deadline would be January 2011.The decision has been taken in order to allow motorists extra time to have

Riyadh, Delhi to resolve labor issues

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has assured New Delhi of full support to repatriate thousands of illegal Indian workers, and to help expedite the legal issues affecting stranded Indians and prisoners in different jails.The assurance of support came during an hour-long meeting held between Deputy Minister of La

More expatriates now allowed to sponsor families

Dubai: Some categories of expatriate workers who had previously been barred from sponsoring their children and family members can now do so by depositing Dh5,000 per person, a senior Ministry of Interior official has said.Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, Assistant Undersecretary for Natural

Active IT win Dulsco Ramadan Cricket Tournament - 2010

DUBAI: Active IT Distribution won the 9thDulsco Ramadan Cricket Tournament which concluded on Saturday at the Zabeel Park Dubai. In the final Active IT defeated Arabian Gulf Establishments (AGE) Group by five wickets. Electing to bat first, AGE Group put on 153 runs for the loss of six wickets while

OIC to focus on US Muslims

JEDDAH: The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), along with the American Islamic College, is organizing a three-day conference on Islam and Muslims in Chicago, US.The objective of the event, to be held on Sept. 28-30, is to "discuss the issues of Muslims living in the US, seeking solutions

INDIA`S INDEPENDECE DAY CELEBRATED IN QATAR

QATAR - A diverse and colourful extravanganza was belatedly orgainised jointly by the Indian Embassy and Indian Cultural Centre to mark the India`s 64th Independence Day celebration. The event was delayed due to the holy month of Ramadhan and Eid holidays. Among the presentations were patriotic, the

Haram expansion project: An architectural landmark

The expansion of the northern courtyard is one of the major works initiated on the orders of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The project, covering an area of 1.5 million square meters, reaches up to the circular road north of the Grand Mosque and Jabal Kaaba Road to the west.The thr

Experts see 25% surge in Haj spending

JEDDAH: Foreigners coming to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage this year are expected to spend more than SR25 billion, 25 percent more than last year, experts said Thursday."This is mainly due to expected increase in the number of pilgrims, the rising costs of accommodation, the soaring prices of food

High-tech airports planned for Jazan, Taif

JEDDAH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced Monday its plans to establish two new airports in Jazan and Taif with advanced facilities in addition to its efforts to expand some of the existing domestic and international airports.Abdullah Rehaimi, president of GACA, said studies a

Illegal foreigners get six-month amnesty

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday a six-month amnesty for the hundreds of illegal foreigners overstaying their visas, saying they would be allowed to leave the Kingdom without punishment.The Interior Ministry said the amnesty would cover those who arrived in the Kingdom on Haj, Umrah, visit or

Sponsorship transfer fees should be paid by new employer: MoL

Abu Dhabi - Fees for transfer of sponsorship should be met by the new sponsor, not the worker, as per provisions of the labour law, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) has affirmed.Jasim Mohammed Jamil, acting Director of Work Relations at the ministry, said on Tuesday: "Many workers fall victim to their i

Saudi Electric Co wins $488m Haramain rail deal

Saudi Arabia's long-awaited Haramain Railway looks set to open by early 2013, according to the terms of the network's power contract, which has just been awarded.Arab News reported that the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) had won the $488m deal to supply the electricity required by the rail link, an

ID card registration to be linked to visas

After UAQ, visa medical test to link with ID in Abu Dhabi and three northern emirates in three years Abu Dhabi: Expatriates in Abu Dhabi and three northern emirates will soon be able to register for National Identity (ID) cards when they undergo the required medical tests for their residence visas,

High-speed rail to link Manama to Doha in 51 minutes

The high-speed rail link is part of ambitious railway project to be launched by QatarManama: A high-speed rail link is being planned between Qatar's Education City and Bahrain that would make a one-way journey possible in just 51 minutes.The idea is to woo Bahraini students to enrol at the various p

Abu Dhabi firm to phase out plastic bags

Abu Dhabi - The Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) will phase out the use of plastic bags in its facilities, a company official said Wednesday.According to Chief Executive Officer Ali Rashid Al-Jarwan, a multi-faceted strategy to replace all non-biodegradable plastic bags by the end of 2

KMWA HOSTS Spectacular EID AL-FITR GET TOGETHER in Kuwait

Kuwait - Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association (KMWA ) Kuwait, a subsidiary of IMA-Kuwait, organized an educational and amusing Eid Al-Fitr (Festival of Fast-breaking) Get-Together function at Kuwait Indian Community School auditorium on Sunday evening 12th Sept. 2010 in Salmiya, Kuwait. This enterta