CMC pushes for clearer regulations on skilled foreign worker recruitment

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

The Central Municipal Council held its 56th regular meeting to discuss key issues including housing project delays, skilled foreign worker recruitment regulation, urban planning, and community welfare. The council reviewed several proposals and updates aimed at improving municipal services and addressing local challenges, signaling ongoing efforts to enhance urban development and public service delivery.

The Central Municipal Council (CMC) convened its 56th regular meeting of the seventh term under the chairmanship of Mohamed bin Ali al-Athba, addressing a broad spectrum of issues including housing, public services, urban development, and community welfare.

A central topic of discussion was a report and set of recommendations from the CMC Public Services and Utilities Committee aimed at resolving delays in citizens’ housing projects. The proposal, initiated by council members Hamad Khalid al-Kaabi and Fahad Hamad al-Buraidi, representatives of Constituencies 18 and 19 respectively, sought practical solutions to overcome obstacles affecting the timely construction of these projects.

The council also considered recommendations pertaining to the regulation of skilled foreign worker recruitment. Presented by Dr. Badr Sultan al-Rumaihi of Constituency 4, the proposal called for the establishment of clearer standards and enhanced oversight regarding the recruitment of vocational professionals from abroad. The initiative aims to provide a more structured framework for managing imported skilled labor.

Urban planning matters featured prominently, with discussions on street naming proposals in Constituencies 4, 10, 15, and 18. These recommendations, forwarded by the Committee for Naming Areas, Neighbourhoods, Streets, and Squares, included the naming of new streets to better organize urban spaces.

The council reviewed updates from the Public Services and Utilities Committee responding to earlier recommendations. Among these was a follow-up on measures addressing street begging, prompted by a proposal from Abdullah Khalid al-Yafei, representative of Constituency 17.

Additionally, members revisited licensing procedures for private rest houses located in residential neighborhoods. This review came in response to a proposal by Dr. Hassan Lahdan al-Mohannadi, representative of Constituency 26, reflecting ongoing concerns about the regulation of such establishments.

Finally, progress was evaluated regarding the resolution of issues related to subdivided villa housing, following a submission by Walid Mohamed al-Emadi from Constituency 8. Overall, the meeting highlighted the council’s continued focus on improving municipal services and addressing community challenges through targeted policy recommendations.

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