Fully vaccinated tourists can enter the Kingdom without the need for an institutional quarantine period, provided that an official vaccination certificate is presented upon arrival…reports Asian Lite News
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism announced that the Kingdom will open its doors to foreign tourists, and lift off the suspension of entry for tourist visa holders, starting from August 1, 2021.
Fully vaccinated tourists can enter the Kingdom without the need for an institutional quarantine period, provided that an official vaccination certificate is presented upon arrival, and proof of a PCR test with its negative result within 72 hours from the time of departure.
Visitors to the Kingdom are also required to register their data related to vaccination doses via the new dedicated portal – https://muqeem.sa/#/vaccine-registration/home – in addition to registering their data via “Tawakkalna” application, which is mandatory to enter public places.
Those who are fully vaccinated are those who received two vaccination doses of one of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom, which is Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Those wishing to obtain a tourist visa can apply through the “Spirit of Saudi” website, visitsaudi.com.
On this occasion, the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, said: “We welcome tourists again, and we are very happy to receive the Kingdom’s guests again after a pause due to the repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic.”
He added: “We focused our efforts during the pause on close cooperation with our partners in all sectors to ensure a safe return through which visitors to the Kingdom can enjoy exploring its tourist treasures, important destinations and landmarks, enjoy unique tourist experiences and learn about the culture of generosity and hospitality characterizing Saudi society.”
The Kingdom had launched the tourist visa in September 2019, in a historic decision in which the Kingdom opened its heart and its doors to tourists from different countries of the world.
At that time the Kingdom had achieved remarkable numbers as 400,000 visas were issued within 6 months, before the suspension of travel and the closure of ports and borders following the pandemic of coronavirus.
As of July 15, NORKA Roots estimates that 10,98,334 returnees have lost their jobs abroad. Almost 120,816 people are yet to receive their salary allowances. This amounts to Rs 1,130 crores, assuming that each one is to get an average of Rs 100.000.
Thousands of Keralites flew back home from across the world during the pandemic after losing their jobs. According to a report by the Centre for Indian Migrant Studies (CIMS), around Rs 1,180 crores is yet to be paid as salaries and benefits for these expatriates.
nepal delta covid variant
Some companied took advantage of the situation. Some of the Gulf returnees file complaints against companies and employers in foreign countries over dues. Some company owners exploited the Covid-crisis to slash salaries. They were also denied employment benefits and gratuity. On the basis of accurate records and calculations of the wage system in the foreign countries, CIMS have conducted a study on 3945 expatriate workers who returned from abroad, reveals the loss of more than Rs 62 crores due to wage theft. As of July 15, NORKA Roots estimates that 10,98,334 returnees have lost their jobs abroad. Almost 120,816 people are yet to receive their salary allowances. This amounts to Rs 1,130 crores, assuming that each one is to get an average of Rs 100.000. Both the Central and State Governments need to take necessary action to find out the real picture of this problem among the expatriates who have returned home through Vande Bharat Mission. The Ministry of External Affairs has already missed the opportunity to collect information from people who lost their jobs during repatriation. CIMS and the Thampan Thomas Foundation will hold a press conference at the Press Club on Saturday to explain the issue and will publish a report on wage theft, urging the central and state governments to take strong decisions in this regard. The forums are requesting the state and national governments to take immediate decisions on expats’ rehabilitation.
UAE Top On the List
The UAE has the largest wage theft cases registered among the migrant population in Asia and the Gulf region, according to a latest report of the Migrant Forum in Asia released recently.
Kuwait had 182 registered cases, Malaysia 95, Philippines 60, Bahrain 46, Qatar 41, China 29 and Oman 18, the analysis said. It said that 753 cases of wage theft out of the 1,113 analysed cases were experienced by documented workers and 359 by undocumented workers.
In cases documented from origin countries, India came with the largest proportion of cases at 620. Of this, 51.9 per cent of cases from India were registered in the UAE, the Migrant Forum in Asia said. Kuwait was next in line where 27.1 per cent cases from India was registered. In Saudi Arabia, 20.6 per cent cases were from India.
The report marks the first anniversary of the Justice for Wage Theft campaign. the campaign is a joint effort by a coalition of trade unions and civil society organisations, started in June 2020. It calls for urgent justice mechanism for migrant workers repatriated due to the COVID-19 pandemic without being paid their due wages, salaries, and end-of-service benefits.
Regional Coordinator of Migrant Forum in Asia William Gois said that the prevalence of wage theft was endemic to labour migration.
In the report, the Migrant Asia Forum underlines that the gravity of the issue across the world was more devastating in scale than expected. They also mentioned that millions of cases of wage theft at the time of the pandemic would have gone unaddressed without proper monitoring and documentation. Apart from this, the Forum think that the migrants are hesitant or refuse to report or file a case in fear of retaliation from employers and in fear of being unable to pursue new employment opportunities.
COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION
The report said that 32.33 per cent of the total casework was registered in the UAE in the January- May 2021 period. In Saudi Arabia, 252 cases were registered followed by 182 cases in Kuwait and 95 cases in Malaysia. Though Philippines is not usually considered a country of destination, 60 cases of wage theft were registered by Indonesian construction workers in a group case. Except for 3 cases of domestic workers, all cases registered in China were from migrants in the fishing industry.
The report mentions that the workers who filed cases regarding wage theft in the UAE were primarily from four countries. A total of 324 cases were from India, 13 from Bangladesh, 11 from Philippines and nine from Nepal.
Saudi Arabia saw 124 cases registered from India, 63 cases from Bangladesh, 29 from Philippines, 20 and 16 cases registered from Nepal and Indonesia respectively.
Malaysia saw a majority of cases from Indonesian workers (80) and workers from Nepal (14).
All cases registered in relation to China were pertaining to Indonesian migrant workers.
43 cases registered in Bahrain were of Nepali migrant workers of a group case.
29 cases in Qatar were also registered by Nepali migrant workers.
GENDER DISTRIBUTION
912 cases out of 1,113 cases were of male migrant workers and 201 of female migrant workers.
Among countries of destination, Saudi Arabia registered the highest number of cases of female migrant workers (80)
Malaysia followed with 73 cases of wage theft from female migrant workers. Malaysia is the only destination country where more female migrants’ cases were reported than male migrants.
UAE, Kuwait and Qatar registered respectively 12, 9 and 6 cases of wage theft faced by female migrant workers
Female migrants faced wage theft in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, China, Philippines and Singapore
Among countries of origin, Indonesia filed the highest number of cases with respect to female migrant workers at 86
Philippines and Bangladesh filed 59 and 51 cases respectively. Philippines was the only origin country that has registered more female cases than male (3 cases). India and Nepal registered three and two cases respectively
The high proportion of domestic workers among female cases in countries (except Malaysia)§ demonstrated the continuing vulnerability and precarity of women involved in care work. For instance, 71 out of 80 cases of females in KSA, 8 out of 12 cases in UAE and 8 out of 9 cases in Kuwait were of domestic workers. All female cases from Jordan, Lebanon, Hong Kong and Iraq (between 1-4 cases) as well were of domestic workers.
DOCUMENTATION
A total of 753 cases of wage theft were experienced by documented workers and 359 cases by undocumented workers, the report said. Out of 359 cases, 39 cases of undocumented workers were female migrant workers, primarily located in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. A majority of them were from Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh. Among countries of origin, while Philippines has the highest proportion of documented workers, Indonesia was observed as having the largest proportion of cases related to undocumented workers (58%), followed by Nepal (33.6%).
For documented workers, the major countries of destination where wage theft cases were reported to the platform included UAE (accounting for 44.8% of total cases of documented workers), KSA (30%), and Malaysia (10%). This was followed by (in the order of number of cases) Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, China and Singapore. All cases from Jordan were documented workers. Other countries of documented workers included Hong Kong, Japan, Libya, Maldives, Poland, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Among countries of destination, the highest number of cases registered on behalf of undocumented workers were from Kuwait, accounting for 61% of the total cases filed between January – May 2021. This was followed by China, KSA (both 9%), Bahrain (8%), UAE (7%), and Malaysia (6%)
A majority of the undocumented cases of wage theft in Kuwait were Indian males in the construction industry. The cases registered in Philippines were Indonesian males who were employed in the manufacturing sector. Cases registered in China were primarily undocumented Indonesian males working in the fishing sector. In all situations, cases were filed as part of a group.
This came in a written statement submitted by the UAE to the UN Security Council quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE has stressed that the only sustainable solution to overcome the deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territory is to achieve a two-state solution through the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Madrid reference, and the Arab Peace Initiative.
This came in a written statement submitted by the UAE to the UN Security Council quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”. The statement drew attention to the difficult humanitarian, political, and economic challenges facing the Palestinian people, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the obstruction of the political process.
The UAE stressed that strengthening the international community’s tangible, practical, and urgent support for vital sectors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the health and education sectors, must be an immediate priority.
In this regard, the UAE highlighted the food and health aid it recently provided, reflecting its historic commitment to the Palestinian people.
Between 2013 and 2020, the UAE has provided more than US$840 million to finance vital sectors and support development efforts in the Palestinian territory. This is in addition to the US$2.6 million in food aid recently sent to thousands of Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip, the delivery of more than 30 ambulances, and other medical assistance since the onset of the pandemic.
The UAE affirmed that the international community must help maintain the recent ceasefire and encourage efforts to prevent escalation and advance negotiations. It also emphasised the need to protect the prospects for the two-state solution and to break the deadlock by relaunching a credible peace process.
Accordingly, the UAE affirmed its support for regional and international efforts to advance this process, particularly the efforts of Egypt and Jordan in helping to reach a ceasefire. The UAE also underscored the need to stop all illegal practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which threaten the two-state solution and violate international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. These activities include building and expanding settlements, confiscating and demolishing Palestinian property, and forcibly displacing the population.
The statement also asserted the importance of preserving the legal status of East Jerusalem, ensuring Palestinians can practise their religious traditions, and of respecting the historic role of Jordan as the custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to continuing working with regional and international partners to end the cycle of conflict in the Middle East based on its belief that the people of the region deserve to enjoy a decent life in stable countries and secure societies, where tolerance and prosperity prevail, and in which people can realise their hopes and aspirations.
The announcement came on the heels of Biden’s decision to withdraw fully from Afghanistan nearly 20 years after the U.S. launched that war in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks….reports Asian Lite News
Two rockets were fired early Thursday against Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone which houses the US embassy, without causing any casualties or damage, according to Iraqi officials.
The dawn attack came as Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi was flying home from Washington after White House talks in which President Joe Biden announced an end to US combat operations in Iraq.
Even before Biden took office, the main U.S. focus has been assisting Iraqi forces, not fighting on their behalf. And Biden did not say if he planned to reduce the number of troops in Iraq, now about 2,500.
The announcement came on the heels of Biden’s decision to withdraw fully from Afghanistan nearly 20 years after the U.S. launched that war in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Together, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have heavily taxed the U.S. military and kept it from devoting more attention to a rising China, which the Biden administration calls the biggest long-term security challenge.
For years, U.S. troops have played support roles in Iraq and in neighboring Syria, which was the origin of the Islamic State group that swept across the border in 2014 and captured large swaths of Iraqi territory, prompting the U.S. to send troops back to Iraq that year.
Kurdish security forces, known as Peshmerga, assemble outside the town of Bashiqah, some 30 km northeast of Mosul, Iraq
Speaking to reporters during an Oval Office session with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Biden said his administration remained committed to a partnership with Iraq — a relationship that has been increasingly complicated by Iranian-backed Iraqi militia groups.
The militias want all U.S. troops out of Iraq immediately and have periodically attacked bases that house American troops.
Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Concerned Veterans for America, said U.S. troops will remain at risk.
“Regardless of whether their deployment is called a combat mission, U.S. troops will remain under regular attack as long as they remain in Iraq,” Caldwell said in a statement.
“An American military presence in Iraq is not necessary for our safety and only risks the loss of more American life.”
Biden said the U.S. military will continue to assist Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State group, or ISIS. A joint U.S.-Iraq statement said the security relationship will be focused on training, advising and intelligence-sharing.
“Our shared fight against ISIS is critical for the stability of the region and our counterterrorism operation will continue, even as we shift to this new phase we’re going to be talking about,” Biden said.
TDF said that implementing the Cloud Computing Strategy (CCS) would enhance data integration…reports Asian Lite News
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has announced the installation of cloud computing technology in cooperation with Oracle to enable investors to benefit from the Saudi tourism sector’s promising opportunities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, TDF said that implementing the Cloud Computing Strategy (CCS) would enhance data integration, increase productivity, reduce costs, unify and facilitate operations and ensure smooth communication with all stakeholders, including investors, donors, and governmental agencies.
TDF said cooperation with the world’s largest database management company will provide a full range of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure solutions and Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications which will contribute to enhancing TDF’s services.
The fund was founded in June with an initial $4 billion investment and is part of plans to diversify the Kingdom’s economy.
The $4 billion TDF was established to also serve as a key drive to comprehensive touristy development in the country aiming to augment the contribution of the touristy sector in the GDP from 3% to 10% and create new jobs for citizens by the year 2030.
India has strong energy relationships with oil and gas producers in the GCC area…reports Asian Lite News
India’s new Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has completed a round of consultations through courtesy calls to major oil producing countries in the Gulf.
India has strong energy relationships with oil and gas producers in the GCC area, which accounts for the bulk of India’s oil imports and related energy sector partnerships.
Puri’s first call after taking over as Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas was to Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), according to details of Puri’s activities issued by his Ministry since he assumed his new office.
His next call was to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia.
During his conversation with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Puri “discussed ways and means to invigorate the vibrant bilateral strategic energy partnership between India and UAE. We agreed to take the bilateral energy engagement to greater heights and also to diversify into new areas in the context of fast evolving global energy transition,” according to the Indian Ministry.
Puri’s discussions with the Saudi Minister of Energy were “warm and friendly.” They focused on “strengthening bilateral energy partnerships and developments in the global energy markets.”
According to Puri’s account of the discussions, he “highlighted the crucial role of Saudi Arabia in the rapidly growing energy needs of India.” He expressed India’s strong desire to work with Saudi Arabia to further diversify the bilateral strategic energy partnership beyond buyer-seller arrangements to see greater two-way investments.
In another call, Puri invited Kuwait’s Minister of Oil, Dr Muhammad Al Fares, to visit India to “work towards further expanding the excellent bilateral engagement in the hydrocarbons sector between the two countries. Kuwait is an important partner in our energy security matrix,” the Indian Ministry asserted.
Puri also had discussions with Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy, who is also President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum.
Puri was appointed India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas on 7th July. (WAM/ Krishnan Nayar)
The source said that there are reports about citizens travelling to the countries where travel is prohibited in violation of the instructions issued by the official authorities…reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of Interior has warned Saudi citizens against travelling to countries that have been put on the no-travel list recently as these countries are currently witnessing a surge in cases of Covid-19 and its new variants.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday, an official source at the ministry said that travelling to the banned countries is an explicit violation of the announced instructions, the Saudi Gazette reported.
The source said that there are reports about citizens travelling to the countries where travel is prohibited in violation of the instructions issued by the official authorities, warning that such deception, if proven, warrants legal accountability and heavy penalties. He added that those who are found to have violated the instructions would be banned from travelling abroad for 3 years.
The Ministry of Interior in the statement called on citizens against travelling directly or indirectly to countries where the pandemic has not yet been controlled and there are cases of mutated strains.
It also urged citizens to exercise caution and stay away from areas where instability prevails or the virus is spreading, and take all precautionary measures regardless of their destination.
The red-list countries include the UAE, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Belarus, India and Vietnam.
Last week, Saudi Arabia had announced the successful conclusion of this year’s Hajj season, free from the Covid-19 and other contagious diseases, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah attributed the success to an integrated system of health facilities in the holy sites, highly equipped ambulances and qualified teams, the report said.
The minister added that limiting the number of domestic pilgrims during this Hajj season to 60,000 also contributed to the success, the Xinhua news agency reported.
For the second year in a row, Saudi Arabia has allowed only domestic pilgrims to performed Hajj to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As on Tuesday, the country’s coronavirus tally stands at 520,774, including 11,136 active cases, while the total number of deaths was at 8,189.
Taliban militants kill ace Afghan comedian Nazar Mohammad… reports Asian Lite News. Photographs showed the comedian, who had previously served in the local police, backed up against a tree and then lying on the ground with his throat cut
Taliban militants are back on saddle in some pockets of Afghanistan to implement their rigid ideology. Afghanistan, a war-ravaged nation, is witnessing violence ever since foreign forces started to move out of the country. The Taliban has captured several parts of the country in recent times.
With fighting raging on the outskirts of Kandahar, the second city, Nazar Mohammad, an entertainer, was dragged from his home and killed, The Times reported.
Photographs showed the comedian, who had previously served in the local police, backed up against a tree and then lying on the ground with his throat cut, reported The Times.
While, Taliban has rejected their involvement in the incident, the comedian’s family has blamed the group for the killing of Nazar Mohammad.
A video has been circulating on social media where some militants could be seen slapping and harassing the comedian.
Activist Subuhi Khan posted on Twitter: “Because they don’t want Muslims to laugh,sing, dance or be happy. They need brain-dead muslims who can act as zombies to fight for Islamic State. Mind you..they don’t spare you even in an Islamic State. This is power hungry unquenchable blood thirst.RIP brother #NazarMohammad.”
Nazar Mohammad, an Afghan comedian in Kandahar, was dragged from his home by Taliban terrorists and then killed in cold blood. A man who brought smiles to many was killed brutally for being who he was. The world watches as Taliban continue with their atrocities against Afghans. pic.twitter.com/yTINioeaMZ
Taliban detained Nazar Mohammad, known as #KhashaZwan, a comedian who was also a member of local police, insulted & slapped him, then shot him dead & hung his body from a tree. Photo of his body behind a Toyota hatchback, surrounded by his children & wife, is just heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/LHPBJcvaqj
Mikati gave a speech following his appointment on Monday, calling upon all political parties to cooperate with him on finding the right solutions…reports Asian Lite News
Najib Mikati was named as Lebanon’s new Prime Minister with 72 votes in parliament following months of political turmoil in the crises-hit country.
Mikati gave a speech following his appointment on Monday, calling upon all political parties to cooperate with him on finding the right solutions to the country’s crises, reports Xinhua news agency.
“The vote of confidence by MPs is necessary for my appointment but I am keen to gain the confidence of the Lebanese population, every man and woman, and the youths,” Mikati said at Baabda Palace after his meeting with President Michel Aoun.
Mikati said he has received international guarantees and he aims to implement the French initiative.
“I do not have a magic wand; this is a very difficult mission. It will succeed only if we manage to cooperate together by avoiding political bickering and useless accusations,” he said.
Most of Lebanon’s political parties supported Mikati’s premiership, including the Future Movement, Amal Movement, Hezbollah, Marada Movement and Progressive Socialist Party.
However, Mikati faced opposition from the country’s two main Christian parties, the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces.
Mikati’s appointment came a few days following the resignation of Saad Hariri as Prime Minister-designate for failing to form a non-partisan cabinet.
The country has been without a cabinet since August 10, 2020 when caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned in reaction to the Port of Beirut blasts which killed over 200 people and wounded thousands of others.
Hariri was appointed as new premier on October 22, 2020 but he failed to form a new cabinet given his differences with President Aoun over distribution of ministerial shares.
Lebanon has been going through the worst economic and financial crisis in its history and the political vacuum during the past year contributed to worsening the country’s multiple woes.
Lebanon is in dire need for a cabinet capable of implementing structural reforms to unlock aid by the international community and stop further collapse.
The country currency has lost 90 per cent of its value.
Amid the crisis, at least half of Lebanon’s population has slipped into poverty, while food inflation is at more than 400 per cent.
The warship was officially named His Majesty’s Ship Jazan, at the launch ceremony held at the shipyard of the Navantia Naval Industries Co., in Spain….reports Asian Lite News
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) recently celebrated the ceremonial launch of the Avante 2200 corvette, which is the fourth warship of its type within the Sarwat project.
The warship was officially named His Majesty’s Ship Jazan, at the launch ceremony held at the shipyard of the Navantia Naval Industries Co., in Spain.
The corvettes are being built in a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), and Navantia S.A., named SAMI Navantia Naval Industries.
They will be delivered in 2024, a year later than initially planned, and will feature special combat and fire control systems and integrated communications among other technologies, the Arab News reported.
The launch event was attended by the Saudi ambassador to Spain, Azzam bin Abdulkarim Al-Qain; the vice president of SAMI for corporate communication, support services and information technology, Wael bin Mohammed Al-Sarhan; as well as other senior officials from RSNF, Spanish Navy and SAMI Navantia Naval Industries.
“The Sarawat project will contribute to raising the level of readiness of the RSNF, enhancing maritime security in the region and protecting the vital strategic interests of the Kingdom,” the commander of the RSNF, Lt. Gen. Adm. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili, said.
“In addition, the project ships are an important addition to the capabilities of the RSNF in protecting the Kingdom’s maritime interests and localizing advanced military industries technically.”
The Sarawat project warships feature the latest combat systems to deal with all air threats, surface and subsurface, as well as being equipped for electronic wars. They have more capabilities than many of the world’s navies, and are a further addition to the capabilities of the RSNF in protecting the nation’s maritime security.
The project also includes training services for crews, training simulators, logistics, and long-term after-sales technical and logistical support.
