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UAE Suspends Daily, Hourly Maid Services to Curb Spread of Coronavirus

UAE Suspends Daily and Hourly Maid Services to Curb Spread of Coronavirus

UAE authorities on Tuesday (March 16) announced that short-term recruitment of maid services via Tadbeer centers is temporarily suspended.

The decision was made to support the national government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

UAE Authorities Suspends Short-Term Recruitment of Maid Services via Tadbeer

In line with this, household service workers can now be hired for a minimum period of seven days. During this period, they are not allowed to be replaced or transferred, the Khaleej Times reported.

And to ensure safety, the ministry added that household workers will also have to undergo a COVID PCR test before they are deployed. That said, testing must be done in no more than 48 hours before the service schedule.

Moreover, MoHRE called on Tadbeer centers to make arrangements for domestic workers so that they can get the Covid-19 vaccine.

Earlier, officials announced that UAE residents can hire domestic helpers only from Tadbeer centres starting this month. The centres, whose services are regulated by MoHRE, have replaced the agencies for recruiting domestic helpers. Currently, there are 54 such centres across the country.

Under Tadbeer centers, domestic helpers can be hired through three schemes, one of which is short-term recruitment.

The first package offers direct sponsorship from source countries to get a 3-month contract. Employers need to provide all meals, individual rooms, monthly salary and passport renewal requirements for domestic workers.

The second is Tadbeer sponsorship allowing employers to hire a domestic worker for 180 days wherein the company accepts all the costs for passport renewals, except for accommodation-related requirements.

And the third package wherein workers are given a two-year contract recruitment. In this scheme, employers need to ensure accommodation, salary and other requirements, such as service ending benefits.

Last month, Mohre – in cooperation with E11 – introduced an upgraded version of the smart application ‘Tadbeer’ through which users can avail of all services related to domestic workers at any time and place.

Oman to Enforce 5% VAT Starting April 16

Oman is all set to roll out the 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) across the country. Oman is the third in the Arab world to introduce the 5% VAT following the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which both implemented the taxation scheme back in 2018.

The new regulation is expected to generate 1.5% of Oman’s gross domestic product (GDP) and generate approximately 400 million Omani riyals annually.

Oman Next to Enforce 5% VAT After UAE, Saudi Arabia

According to Saud bin Nasser Al Shukaili, Oman’s Director of Taxation, all the preparations and requirements needed to implement VAT are in place. This includes the promulgation of tax-related regulations and the operation of tax computer systems and electronic devices, as well as electronic linking with relevant authorities, Gulf News reported.

The Heath of Tax Authority also approved the Executive Regulations for the Value Added Tax (VAT) Law.

It noted that the five per cent applies to most goods and services, but certain sets of goods and services offered are exempt. In addition to products that are exempt by law, tariffs are also levied on goods imported from the Sultanate.

The list of VAT-exempt products and services includes medical, educational, financial services, basic food and supplies for people with special needs, and other products and services.

“All the necessary preparations and requirements for the implementation of the value-added tax decided on April 16 have been completed in terms of issuing legislation related to tax, operating the tax computer system, and electronic linking with the authorities concerned with the application and strengthening the human cadre in the agency,” Al Shukaili said.

Al Shukaili, emphasized that the VAT is necessary for the current global economic climate, and will approximately generate 1.5 per cent of the value in GDP. “OMR 400 million is expected to be collected annually from the application of this tax,” he added.

Despite Kafala Reform, Many Filipinos in Saudi Still Vulnerable to Abuse – Expert

Despite Kafala Reform, Many Filipinos in Saudi Still Vulnerable for Abuse - Expert

At least 500,000 Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia are still at risk for exploitation and abuse despite the reform ‘abolishing’ the kafala system. The move aims to ease working restrictions on some foreign nationals in the country including the freedom to change jobs and foreign workers’ right to leave the country without the employers’ permission.

The change, however, fails to cover the large majority of Filipino workers in the country, as most of them are still subject to the effects of the abusive system, which was often associated with slavery.

Millions of OFWs in Saudi Still Vulnerable Despite Abolishment of Kafala System

Recruitment and migrants expert Emmanuel Geslani said that Filipino domestic workers and low-skilled workers were not covered by the reform regarding the Kafala system as this was strictly only for skilled workers, which was implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development on March 14, 2021, the Manila Standard reported.

According to Geslani: “Our OFWs who are classified as Household Service Workers are still under the yoke of their sponsors and are not covered by the liberation given to skilled workers”.

He explained that domestic workers classified as HSWs, drivers and gardeners were vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment by their sponsors in the households of these employers.

In line with this, the Philippines has called on the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to remove the Kafala system in their efforts to acquire Filipino domestic workers who are highly in demand in both Middle Eastern nations.

Saudi Arabia has an estimated 500,000 domestic workers whereas Kuwait has are over 250,000 Filipinos working there as such.

However, these domestic workers are restricted by the system to change employers or leave the country despite the termination of their contracts without the “exit visa” provided by their sponsors.

Such a term has been prone to abuse by Arab sponsors who refuse to issue exit visas unless payment is made by the Philippine Embassy amounting up to $5,000 in cases where the Filipino has asked for help to adjudicate the case with their sponsor.

Meanwhile, only skilled workers are allowed under the new system to change employers or leave Saudi Arabia without the need for an exit visa from their employer.

As such, Geslani has called on the Philippine government to act on the problem to prevent further abuse of Filipino domestic workers from their employers.

Viral Video: Domestic Helper Rescued from Angry Employer’s Abuse

Here’s an important reminder to all employers regarding how you treat ALL your workers: Do not beat them up or abuse them, even if you’re having difficulty dealing with them or they make errors. It is NOT right that you physically abuse or assault them in any way! A video clip of a Filipino domestic worker who has been maltreated is making rounds on social media. where an angry Arab employer

This reflects the real work conditions of some workers in the Middle East, specifically domestic helpers. As such, the government in the Philippines has enacted bilateral agreements to ensure the protection of the rights of Filipino workers abroad.

Filipina Housemaid Rescued from Abuse in Saudi, Employer is Now In Jail

According to a Philippine news report, the Filipina domestic helper in Saudi Arabia has allegedly been maltreated and abused by her employer.

In the somewhat sensitive video, the Filipina worker can be seen being repeatedly hit by her Arab employer with a broomstick. The employer was also shouting at the worker and berating her.

If that wasn’t enough, the Filipina was even slapped, pushed around, and beaten up. According to the Filipina whose identity was kept anonymous, this is not the first time her employer had abused her. She recorded the video and posted it on social media.

saudi filipina safe now from employer — Screenshot of Philippines TV program – Raffy Tulfo in Action

Meanwhile, Raffy Tulfo, a host of a TV program in the Philippines, has featured the OFW’s story in more detail.

Raffy Tulfo’s program is a venue where many Filipino nationalities ask for help especially for abused cases. According to Filipina, she has been working for this employer for more than a year. She said that everything was okay when she first started doing her work, but after the first year, her employer started to have a different attitude towards her. He has become short-tempered, impatient, and physically abusive with her.

saudi employer angry at filipina domestic worker — Screenshot of Philippines TV program – Raffy Tulfo in Action

When the employer found out about the post, he confronted his employee and even brought a clothes iron with him.

At this point, the Filipina worker left her employer’s residence to ask for help from a nearby restaurant, where other people came to her aid. Fortunately, the situation did not escalate and the Filipina is already in the custody of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and the employer has been put in prison.

Here’s the report as posted on Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube:

To all Filipino workers and household service workers, know your rights. And seek for help if anyone, most especially your employer is becoming abusive (physically or verbally). Go to the nearest police station or visit an overseas welfare office, the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section, more specifically.

Employers, on the other hand, should respect their workers in the same way you want to be respected. Violence is never a solution. Even if you are having a bad day or a hard time dealing with your employees, never think of them as any less than you – and resorting to abuse.

They are human beings, too, and must be dealt with dignity and respect. If you cannot handle them, you can go through the legal process in your country but never use violence.

Such actions should never be tolerated. Abuse, regardless of who is doing it, is never justifiable.

Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Hajj 2021

Saudi authorities have floated the possibility of requiring COVID-19 vaccination as part of the requirement to be allowed to attend the holy Hajj pilgrimage this year.

Saudi Arabia takes pride in the guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina and its smooth organisation of the annual Hajj, which has been marred in the past by deadly stampedes, fires and riots.

Hajj 2021: Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination

Saudi’s health minister said in a circular: “The COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the Haj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come),” Al Jazeera reported.

The congregation of millions of pilgrims from around the world can be a major cause of coronavirus transmission. In the past, worshippers have returned home with respiratory and other diseases.

In a circular released by Saudi’s Ministry of Health, its minister, Dr Tawfiq al-Rabiah said that the government must be prepared to “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Mecca and Medina”.

In line with this, the facilities will be stationed at entry points for pilgrims, he said, in addition to a formation of a vaccination committee for pilgrims within Saudi Arabia.

Last year, the kingdom reduced the number of attendees and pilgrims last year due to the pandemic to 1,000.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government.

The pilgrimage last year was performed by a limited number of Saudis and foreign Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

24 People Arrested for Gambling during Apartment Raid in Kuwait

Gambling is considered an illegal activity (especially in many Middle Eastern countries) so please be mindful of this fact. In a recent report, 24 people have been arrested involved in gambling and betting. Kuwait Police raided an apartment and caught the suspects.

Let us remind ourselves on why man expats chose to live and work overseas. While some laws may not sit well with us because we may have grown up under different laws based on our culture and history, it is still important that we respect the laws of the country where we are in. Whether we disagree or not, let us remind ourselves that this is our not our place to decide and we should obey these rules.

Below is the full report from the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait about this incident:

Kuwait Police Arrests 24 People for Gambling during Apartment Raid

The Department of Public Relations and Security Media at the Ministry of Interior has reported that within the efforts of the criminal security sector to combat outlaws, the General Department of Criminal Investigations has managed to catch 24 people red handed to gambling.

The administration explains that there was information that an apartment was found in an area of Al-Ahmadi governorate, which is administered to play gambling and betting through the internet, so a research team was formed and investigated. After confirming the correctness of the information, the legal permission was taken and raided the apartment was seized. 24 people red handed to play gambling, and upon enquiry, it was found that 10 of them were wanted, and an estimated amount of KD 3000 and gambling tools were seized.

They were therefore seized and referred with seizures to the competent authorities for necessary legal action against them.

– MOI Kuwait

Below are posts from the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait regarding the said report:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by وزارة الداخلية – دولة الكويت (@moi_kuw)

Employee Gets Fired after Posting TikTok Video at Workplace

One of the main challenges of working abroad is getting accustomed to and observing the culture of the people and the workplace. If you’re not careful in treading these waters, you might find yourself in a difficult position. This is especially true in countries such as Saudi Arabia and those that follow strict laws and rules concerning public decency and such.

Decency covers areas that are generally shared with the public, including social media and the use of online platforms. Unfortunately, some step over these boundaries and end up paying for the cost of not recognizing such regulations, and for one migrant worker, her job.

TikTok Video Costs Employee Her Job in Saudi Arabia

A Filipino working in Saudi Arabia recently got fired after posting a Tiktok video while wearing her work uniform.

The overseas Filipino worker (OFW), identified as “JM”, went to the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Jeddah to ask for help regarding the incident.

According to JM, her Tiktok video was not suggestive or did not include any content that maligned or attacked anyone in any way. It was a video showing her dancing at the store she worked in, wearing her uniform. Unfortunately, someone recognized her in the video and immediately notified the owner of the store.

In response to her video, the management told her to take it down on the social media platform and was also instructed not to report for work. A few days after the incident, she was informed that she had already been terminated.

Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) officer James Mendiola reminded OFWs, especially those in Saudi Arabia, to be mindful when posting content on the internet.

“We would like to remind our OFWs in Saudi Arabia that although we work only during working hours, we are part of their company 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mendiola explained. “And most of our employers, if not all, are very sensitive to impression or public images, and that includes us. So our social media post and upload must agree or be in line with the norms of the Kingdom.”

As for the Filipina, it was unfortunate that she had to learn her lesson the hard way. In line with this, she advised her fellow Filipinos in the kingdom to be mindful and to think about their actions carefully, especially when putting them out on the internet.

Here is the full video report posted by GMA News Online / YouTube:

Bahrain Rolls Out Digital Vaccine Passport

The Kingdom of Bahrain announced on Wednesday (February 17) that it has launched its own digital ‘vaccine passport’ for citizens.

The move aims to help the Gulf country determine whether using digital ‘vaccine passports’ would work well for them. This also puts the kingdom among one of the first countries to do so. Governments and developers around the world are exploring how certificates and passports could help to reopen economies by identifying those protected against COVID-19.

App to Monitor COVID-19 Vaccination Status Launched in Bahrain

Each citizen who gets jabbed with two doses of the vaccine, 21 days apart, will get their official vaccination certificate after two weeks which can be viewed through Bahrain’s “BeAware” app, The Independent reported.

The app is equipped with a unique QR code per person that is connected to Bahrain’s vaccine registry.

Besides the certificate, the app also shows the user’s personal details, as well as the brand of vaccine received.

Bahrain offers four vaccines free to its citizens, including Russia’s Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sinopharm.

Earlier, Denmark also expressed its intent to launch the country’s own digital ‘vaccine passport’ to check if the traveler has been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, with the hopes of opening up tourism in their country.

Sweden also aims to launch a vaccine passport by summer, assuming there is an international standard in place for the document by then, the government said two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, countries such as Romania, Seychelles, and Estonia said that they will accept individuals who can prove that they have been injected with the COVID-19 jab.

[WATCH] Loyal Dog Boncuk Waits for Sick Owner at Hospital for 6 Days

We all know how pets, for some owners, aren’t considered just as animals, but family. And we’ve heard of stories how people take care of their pets as if they were their own children. You probably do, too.

But in strange ways, did you know that pets show deep care and loyalty for their owners? This dog in Turkey is a great example of a pet’s loyalty to their owner, that even while at the hospital, the dog would stay for hours and wait for days at the hospital’s main entrance, waiting for its owner to come home.

[VIDEO] Loyal Pet Dog in Turkey Waits For Sick Owner to Return Home from Hospital After 6 Days

The pet, named Boncuk – which means bead – followed her owner, Cemal Santurk, who was carried by ambulance to the hospital in Trabzon on January 14.

Since then, the dog made visits to the facility, waiting for her owner to finally come home because she probably missed him too much and was concerned about how he was doing while away.

According to Mr. Santurk’s daughter, Aynur Egeli, she would repeatedly bring Boncuk home, but she would also keep running off and returning to the hospital.

“She has been waiting here at the hospital for three, four days. She runs away from home and comes here, all by herself,” she said.

One of the hospital security guards, Muhammet Akdeniz, shared: “She comes every day around 9:00 am and waits until nightfall. She doesn’t go in.”

He added that Boncuk was harmless and doesn’t bother anyone. But she just waits outside for her owner to come home.

On Wednesday, January 20, Boncuk was finally reunited with her owner, Mr. Senturk, when he was pushed outside in a wheelchair for a brief meeting with his dog.

Catch the heart-warming video feature posted by The Guardian/YouTube.

Mr. Senturk shared: “She’s very used to me. And I miss her, too, constantly.”

On that same day, Mr. Senturk was also discharged from the hospital and went home with Boncuk.

He said of an owner’s bond with their dog: “They bring joy, make people happy. They provide companionship just like humans and they make people happy.”

What a heartwarming reunion! Pets can be the most loyal friend any person can have. And even during these times, when there’s so much isolation happening. A pet and its owner’s true bond cannot be restricted by sickness or even distance! Do you also have loyal pets? Let us know what they’re like by leaving a comment in the section below!

UAE: Arab Men Arrested for Mocking Asian Community

Insults is a crime in the UAE. There are also strict rules when posting on social media in the country (or other Middle East countries) so please be advised of these policies. In a recent news, four men have been arrested for making fun of people of Asian communities.

As per report from Emirates News Agency, WAM, the four men are of Arab nationalities and in viral videos circulated online, it shows that the Arab men are mocking Asian men by poking them on the face or head, or making them lose balance.

This is just cruel and is not tolerated especially in the UAE. So everyone, please be warned that insulting and making fun of others is a crime.

You can check the video below as shared by Emirates News Agency on their official Twitter account.

#PublicProsecution detains four Arabs for offending Asian resident#WamNews https://t.co/6CdbfaYOTY pic.twitter.com/0MmmOzizis

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) January 22, 2021

4 Arab Men Arrested for Mocking Asian Men in UAE

Here is the report below shared by Emirates news agency, WAM, regarding this incident:

The Public Prosecution has ordered the arrest and provisional detention of four Arab nationals accused of offending an Asian resident.

After receiving a report from the Public Prosecution’s Federal Investigation Office, the prosecutors remanded them in custody.

According to the report, the accused posted a video on the Internet for them making fun of the victim and abusing him physically.

The arrested face charges of physical abuse, violation of privacy using media outlets and immoral conduct.