KHALEEJ TIMES, Saturday, Jan 15, 2022 | Jamada Al-Aakhirah 11, 1443
Labour reforms, green building, new sports law: 11 highlights from the first 2022 UAE Cabinet meeting
Emirates:
The UAE Cabinet approved several new regulations on Friday.
Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the laws pertained to various
sectors, including sports, green building and workers' rights.
Some highlights include:
The Executive Regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Regulation of Labour
Relations
This will enhance the sustainability of the labour market nationwide, as well as
ensure the protection of workers' rights
The executive regulations define the legal framework to ensure efficiency in the
labour market and attract and retain the best talent and skills
The law also supports the efforts seeking to enhance the competitiveness of
Emirati talents in the labour market.
The executive regulations create an advanced mechanism that will ultimately
enhance ease-of-doing-business, competitiveness and productivity of the labour
market
The executive regulations set the procedures that guarantee workers and
employees welfare and wellbeing, and ensure a safe and healthy business
environment
The law is dedicated to patents, industrial designs, integrated circuits,
undisclosed information, and utility certificates
The executive regulations provide a comprehensive mechanism to implement the
articles of the law including applications and details surrounding eligibility
for patents and utility certificates
It also includes the conditions for granting the patent, as well as compulsory
licenses, the multiplicity of compulsory licenses, and the exception to the
conditions of compulsory licensing
'Green Building'
The Cabinet also approved an optional national regulation for 'Green Building'
in terms of sustainability and rationalisation of energy and water use
The national regulation provides unified procedures and practices that ensure
the highest standards of sustainability, including reducing the carbon footprint
of construction and encouraging waste recycling at construction sites
The Cabinet decided that the application of the regulation will be optional for
a period of two years for both federal and local entities
The Cabinet will then review the results before the mandatory application
Sports Law
The Sports Law regulates the sports sector and organises the relationship
between the General Authority for Sports, clubs, associations, committees,
federations and sports authorities in the country
The law aims to encourage community members to follow a sports lifestyle, and
support sports talents to enhance the UAE's presence in all sports events at the
regional and global levels
Digital Procurement Policy
The Cabinet approved the Digital Procurement Policy of the federal government,
which aims to ensure a higher level of accessibility, accelerate government
procurement, and reduce the time needed to fully implement the process
The policy defines the guidelines and criteria based on the best international
practices that are designed to improve cost-effectiveness and maximise
efficiencies
The policy supports the digital transformation of procurement across the federal
entities, aligned with the UAE's vision and provide a fair and transparent
process that contribute to the overall economic development.
Other Cabinet decisions
The Cabinet approved the new structure of the National Committee to Combat Human
Trafficking (NCCHT), headed by Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister
of Justice.
The Cabinet also approved the decision of restructuring the Higher Committee to
oversee the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme for three years. Headed
by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, the committee includes
in its membership Jameela bint Salem Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public
Education, Chairperson of the Board of Emirates Schools Establishment and a
number of officials.
The Cabinet approved a decision to establish the Executive Office for Control
and Non-Proliferation. The office will be concerned with the implementation of
the decree of federal law on the Commodities Subject to Non-Proliferation in
line with the requirements of international resolutions issued by the United
Nations
The Cabinet approved a decision to link the federal customs systems of the
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security with all
local customs through one unified platform to ensure integration between the
concerned authorities and include requirements and security information needed.
The Cabinet approved a number of agreements with various countries around the
world, on Avoidance of Double Taxation, and protecting and encouraging
investments.
The Cabinet also approved the agreement of the system that connects all payment
systems in the GCC countries and agreed on the UAE joining the Leaders' Pledge
for Nature during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change.