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Middle East Edition
31st January 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Teva under investigation for corruption
Israel's Labor Ministry has launched an investigation into Teva Pharmaceutical following a whistleblower complaint submitted by an employee in 2024. The complaint is one of three filed at the ministry between 2021 and 2024, with only the one against Teva being forwarded for investigation. The Jerusalem Post notes that most complaints submitted to the ministry are closed, and the already low number of such complaints has raised questions about whether there is sufficient awareness of the whistleblower protection mechanism and whether it is truly effective.
LEGAL
Google employees launch petition for ‘job security’
CNBC reports that Google employees have launched a petition for “job security” as they prepare for more expected layoffs. The petition urges Google CEO Sundar Pichai to offer buyouts before conducting layoffs and to guarantee severance to employees that do get laid off. The petition has been signed by more than 1,250 employees. CNBC says it is the latest indication of employee upheaval at the company, which has struggled to maintain high morale among its workforce following "embarrassing product rollouts, worker protests sparked by controversial enterprise contracts, and continued rounds of layoffs that stretch back to 2023 and are expected to continue." 
CORPORATE
Alshaya and Ulta Beauty partner to bring beauty retailer to the Middle East
Retail franchise operator Alshaya Group and Ulta Beauty have announced a partnership to bring Ulta stores to the Middle East for the first time, with the first stores to open toward the end of 2025. The announcement marks Ulta’s second foray outside the US after the retailer entered into a joint venture with brand operator Axo to open stores in Mexico. Alshaya is also working with Primark on opening potential locations in the Middle East in the next year and aims to expand offerings of quick-service restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill.
HIRING
Saudi embassy issues 2.2m workers' visas in three years
Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh, has revealed that the Saudi embassy has issued more than 2.2m workers' visas over the past three years, facilitating opportunities for Bangladeshi workers. The ambassador said with new opportunities in trade and investment, Bangladesh has successfully attracted significant Saudi investments, including projects by ACWA Power, Red Sea Gateway International company and companies in the pharmaceutical, readymade garments, food agriculture and many other sectors.
W Hotel hosts career fair for Qataris
Qatar's Ministry of Labour has overseen the “Open Casting Day” career fair at the W Hotel in Doha, aimed at connecting private sector job seekers, particularly Qataris and children of Qatari women, with training and employment opportunities. The initiative supports the National Strategy for an Effective and Highly Productive Workforce 2024–2030, which seeks to enhance employment rates and develop national talent. Attendees engaged with HR representatives to explore job roles and ensure a transparent recruitment process.
WORKFORCE
New gratuity investment scheme to boost Dubai employees' savings
In Dubai, a new saving and investment scheme has been launched by Sukoon Workplace Savings Solutions Limited (SWSS) to enhance employees' end-of-service benefits. The 'Go Saver Employee Money Purchase Scheme' is designed for companies and employees within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Emmanuel Deschamps, chairman of SWSS, said that the plan “will provide a competitive advantage” to customers. The initiative follows the introduction of another saving plan, Dews, and aims to expand its reach to mainland UAE and other free zones. The Go Saver plan offers employees a diversified choice of investments and operates within a regulatory framework.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Global CEO exits hit record high
In 2024, a record 202 CEOs departed from their positions, according to Russell Reynolds Associates, marking a 13% increase from the previous year and surpassing the six-year average of 186. The technology sector was particularly affected, with 40 CEOs leaving. Activist investors played a significant role, ousting 27 CEOs, nearly three times the number in 2020. Additionally, almost a quarter of the departures were due to planned succession processes, indicating a shift towards grooming internal talent. Margot McShane, co-lead of Russell Reynolds' global board and CEO practice, said: "It is only getting harder to be a CEO, where you're navigating uncharted territory." 
INTERNATIONAL
DEI has made air travel less safe, Trump says
President Trump has suggested that diversity initiatives from previous administrations contributed to the tragic collision between a passenger jet and a US army helicopter which resulted in 67 fatalities. The incident, the deadliest air disaster in the US in over two decades, saw the aircraft collide mid-air before crashing into the Potomac River. Trump said: "The [Federal Aviation Administration] is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency's website.” He added that the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy and “dwarfism.” An initial report from the FAA reveals that staffing shortages on the night of the crash forced one air traffic controller to do two people’s jobs.
Bangladesh train services back on track
Train services in Bangladesh resumed on Wednesday following the end of an indefinite strike by railway workers that had halted the country's rail network. The strike, which began on Tuesday, disrupted around 400 passenger trains and over 30 freight trains, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Union leader Mujibur Rahman said: “We have been assured by the government that the benefits we received earlier will remain in place.” The workers were protesting about a government decision that removed pension benefits for extra hours worked, raising concerns about their financial security post-retirement.
Kiwis welcome remote workers with open arms
New Zealand has relaxed its visa requirements for remote workers, allowing foreigners to work for overseas employers while on a visitor visa for up to nine months. The change comes as the country seeks to recover from a recession and attract skilled tech workers, particularly from the United States and East Asia. The Government anticipates that these digital nomads will contribute to local economies through increased spending. However, there are caveats, including potential tax implications for those staying longer than 90 days.
McDonald’s Hong Kong says worker was sacked for sharing sensitive information online
McDonald’s Hong Kong has rebuffed claims made by Luke Ching Chin-wai, a 53-year-old Hong Kong artist known for advocating labour rights, who said he was sacked for violating the fast food chain’s social media rules after he called for employees to be paid for their meal times. The chain said a part-time worker, which it did not identify, had repeatedly violated its policies by sharing internal operational and commercial information on public platforms.
 


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