Latest news with #MinisterialDecree


Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Professional licence now mandatory for truck and delivery drivers in Oman
Oman delivery drivers and truck operators will require a professional licence from September 2025 as part of new transport regulations/Representative Image TL;DR: New licensing rule effective 1st September 2025 Applies to both Omanis and expatriates in logistics Includes delivery riders, freight movers, and truck drivers Non-compliance may lead to legal penalties Starting September 1, 2025, Oman will require all professionals working in the logistics sector such as truck drivers, delivery riders, and freight handlers, to obtain a Professional Practice Licence, as per the Ministerial Decree issued by the Ministry of Labour. This decision applies to all individuals, Omani and expatriate working in the specified professions listed in the attached schedule, across various sectors. Obtaining a Professional Practice License from the Sectoral Skills Unit for the Logistics Sector is a mandatory requirement for the issuance or renewal of work permits for both Omanis and expatriates. No work permit will be issued or renewed after 1 September 2025 without submitting the approved license. Why This Change? The move is part of Oman's broader effort to formalize the logistics workforce, which has seen rapid growth in recent years due to booming e-commerce and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Labour stated that the licensing requirement ensures that workers possess the necessary skills, training, and compliance knowledge to operate safely and professionally. According to a July statement by the ministry the regulation is intended to 'raise the efficiency and safety standards' in sectors such as delivery, freight, and heavy transport. Who Will Be Affected? The decree applies to: Drivers of heavy vehicles, including trucks and tankers Delivery riders, especially those working in food and parcel delivery Warehouse and freight transport staff handling logistics chains Whether Omani nationals or expatriate workers, all must hold a valid Professional Practice Licence to continue working in these roles legally. This applies to both employees and self-employed operators. As per the official announcement, the list of professions classified under the professional accreditation system in the logistics sector are: Refrigerated Truck Driver (Tractor-Trailer) Water Tanker Driver (Tractor-Trailer) Tractor Head Driver (Trailer) Waste Transport Truck Driver Food Delivery Representative Food Delivery Supervisor Penalties for Non-Compliance Working in the logistics sector without the required licence after the deadline could lead to legal action, including: Suspension of work permits Fines for employers who hire unlicensed personnel Possible deportation for expatriate violators Employers have been urged to regularize their workforce and ensure all logistics personnel are either already licensed or enrolled in approved certification programs before the September deadline. Why It Matters Oman has prioritised professionalization of its workforce as part of its Vision 2040 goals. With logistics playing a key role in economic diversification and regional trade, ensuring that frontline workers meet minimum standards is seen as critical to road safety, consumer protection, and job nationalization (Omanisation) efforts. The decree aligns with regional trends as GCC countries tighten professional licensing norms across various sectors, including construction, healthcare, and now logistics.


Khaleej Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How to verify job offer in Dubai: Here's how to check if it's genuine
Question: I live in the UK and have received a job offer for an accounting position at an SME in mainland Dubai. How can I verify that the job offer is legitimate and legally compliant? Answer: In the UAE, an offer letter signed between a prospective employer and its prospective employee may be considered an agreement but not a contract. In general, an agreement (offer letter) may be an informal agreement, whereas a contract is an agreement which is enforceable by law. Therefore, all contracts are agreements, but all agreements need not be contracts. Generally, when recruiting a prospective employee in the UAE, an employer needs to issue an offer letter that outlines the terms and conditions of employment. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Thereafter, the same terms and conditions must be included in the employment contract of a prospective employee. Both parties may consider including additional terms and conditions, provided that these are advantageous to the employee. This is by Article 2(1) of the Ministerial Decree No. 46 of 2022 regarding Work Permits, Job Offers and Employment Contract Forms, which states, 'Utilise the approved standard employment contract that conforms with the job offer when requesting the issuance of the work permit. It is permissible to add more benefits to the employee in the contract than those mentioned in the job offer; it is also permissible to add annexure to the contract provided that it does not conflict with the provisions of the decree-law and its executive regulations." Furthermore, an offer letter issued by an employer should be in the format prescribed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre). This is under Article 1 of Administrative Resolution No. 38 of 2022 Concerning the Guidelines for Implementing Ministerial Resolution No. 46 of 2022 Regarding Work Permits, Offer Letters and Employment Contract Forms, which states, "By the guidelines attached herein, electronic forms (e-forms) provided in Mohre system for work permits, offer letters, and employment contracts shall be adopted and implemented." When an employer applies for a new work permit for an employee, they are required to submit a signed offer letter between the employer and the prospective employee. This is in accordance with the Guidelines to Work Permits, Offer Letters and Employment Contracts Procedures of the Administrative Resolution No. 38 of 2022. Once an employer submits all other required documents, along with the signed offer letter and payment of the relevant Mohre fees, an employment contract is signed between the employer and the prospective employee. Based on the aforementioned provisions of law, you should initially contact the Mohre to verify the authenticity of the offer letter issued by your prospective employer. In the event your prospective employer rescinds the offer letter issued to you, the Mohre may not accept your complaint related to such rescind of the offer as you have not signed an employment contract with your prospective employer, and Mohre has not issued you with a work permit. An employer or employee may be considered contractual parties to the employment only if a valid employment contract is registered with MoHRE. Therefore, without a work permit, an employer and an employee may not fall under the ambit of Mohre. You may also request that your prospective employer issue the offer letter to you in the Mohre-prescribed format if the offer letter already issued to you is not in the Mohre-prescribed format. Alternatively, you may contact the Embassy of the UAE in the UK and seek its assistance (if they offer such a service) to verify the authenticity of the offer letter issued to you by your prospective employer. Therefore, in the event your prospective employer rescinds the offer letter issued to you, you may consider filing a civil case against the prospective employer in the court which has jurisdiction in the UAE to hear the matter for the monetary loss and other damages caused to you due to the rescinding of the employment offer letter issued to you. You may obtain further legal advice from Mohre or a legal practitioner in the UAE on this matter.


Daily News Egypt
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt expands list of exports requiring advance foreign currency payment
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued Ministerial Decree No. 273 of 2025, expanding the list of export goods that require full advance payment in convertible foreign currency. The decree, issued by the Foreign Trade and Agreements Sector and delivered to the Egyptian Customs Authority on January 18, 2025, was published in Issue No. 236 of the Egyptian Gazette. Under the new directive, exporters must ensure that payments are settled in full prior to shipment using approved methods, including documentary credit (covering the full value), pre-shipment bank transfers, or other secure financial instruments. A bank certificate confirming receipt of funds must also be submitted to the customs authority before the goods are cleared for export. The Customs Authority has been instructed to circulate the decree across all customs ports for immediate enforcement. Commenting on the development, Ahmed Zaki, Head of the Exporters Division, affirmed that verifying export payments through Egyptian banks is a long-standing and essential requirement—particularly for companies seeking access to government export subsidies. 'This policy ensures transparency and confirms that the proceeds from exports are properly returned to Egypt's banking system,' Zaki said. He noted that the scope of this regulation has recently been widened to include a broader array of goods, with the aim of curbing financial leakage and ensuring the repatriation of foreign currency generated through exports. 'The goal is simple: to guarantee that export revenues contribute directly to Egypt's economy, rather than being held in offshore accounts. This is vital for maintaining economic stability.' Zaki clarified that the regulation is not intended to restrict trade but rather to reinforce integrity within the export sector and combat fraudulent practices such as phantom exports—where goods are reported as shipped without any actual financial return to the country. 'This is not a trade barrier,' he stated. 'It is a safeguard to ensure that Egypt reaps the full benefits of its export performance. It is both reasonable and necessary for any country to ensure that its export earnings are channeled back into its economy.' The updated measure aligns with global standards in trade finance and is part of a broader strategy to support Egypt's ongoing economic reforms. By enhancing oversight of foreign exchange flows, the regulation aims to promote currency stability, strengthen financial transparency, and ensure that export activities serve the national interest.


Shafaq News
10-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Syria's Labor Ministry: Committed to stabilizing the job market
Shafaq News/ Syria's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs reaffirmed on Tuesday its commitment to supporting Syrian workers both at home and abroad, with a focus on achieving balance in the country's labor market. Speaking to Shafaq News Agency, Khalil Awad, Director of Labor Regulation at the Ministry, stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure equality between Syrian and non-Syrian workers under Labor Law No. 17 of 2010. 'Articles 2 and 4 of the law stipulate equal rights and obligations for all workers, while also safeguarding local labor from unfair competition,' Awad explained. He added that despite this principle of equality, the law imposes specific requirements on foreign workers. 'Articles 27 to 30 of the same legislation mandate that non-Syrian workers obtain work permits, and Ministerial Decree No. 888 of 2016 outlines the procedures for granting such permits,' he said. According to Awad, these measures are intended to maintain proper regulation and order in the labor market. Regarding Syrians employed abroad, Awad described them as 'an invaluable national asset,' emphasizing their positive contributions to the economies of their host countries. 'We are currently working to create an attractive work environment inside Syria to encourage their return and involvement in the reconstruction process,' he added, revealing that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to compile accurate statistics on Syrians working overseas. Domestically, the Ministry is expanding initiatives to train and employ youth. Awad highlighted the Ministry's oversight of several NGOs that offer specialized vocational training programs in partnership with the Ministries of Industry, Education, and Housing. 'We are in the process of integrating national digital platforms related to vocational training, under labor regulations, to improve accessibility to resources and training opportunities,' Awad said. He concluded that the overarching goal is to ensure effective coordination among relevant institutions and build a comprehensive training environment aligned with market needs.


The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia submits key document in bid to join Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
JAKARTA (Bernama) -- Indonesia has formally submitted its Initial Memorandum to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), one year after the country received its accession roadmap at the 2024 Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM). Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto led the country's delegation to Paris from June 2 to 5 to attend the OECD MCM, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Airlangga, who heads the country's OECD Accession National Team, handed over the document to OECD secretary-general Matthias Cormann on Monday, marking a major milestone in its bid to join the 38-member bloc. "The completion of the Initial Memorandum within one year reflects our strong national commitment to OECD accession,' he said, while acknowledging that the path ahead remains "a long marathon' requiring continued engagement with OECD committees. According to the ministry, the Initial Memorandum outlines Indonesia's self-assessment of its compliance with OECD standards across 32 chapters and 240 legal instruments. Its drafting involved 64 ministries and agencies across 26 sectors and eight cross-sectoral areas, under Presidential Decree No. 17/2024 and Ministerial Decree No. 232/2024, the ministry added. The OECD, founded in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, provides a platform for member countries to develop evidence-based policies, share best practices and address global economic, social, and environmental challenges. - Bernama