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Middle East Edition
8th August 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

More firms are merging HR and IT departments

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of senior IT decision makers at large companies expect their HR and IT functions to merge within five years, according to a survey by Nexthink, a firm that makes workplace software. Tracey Franklin, the chief people and digital technology officer at biotechnology company Moderna, says her role is being an architect of how work is done. She explains: "I am responsible for the entire HR function and the entire IT function . . . It's [about] how work flows through the organisation, and what should be done with technology – whether that's hardware or software or AI – and where you complement human skills around that." Meanwhile, software company Covisian merged its IT and HR teams in 2023 under the leadership of Fabio Sattolo, chief people and technology officer. He was previously CTO. "If we bring [IT and people] together, we can have a common vision for how technology can have an impact on people and how people can adapt and evolve to leverage the new technology," Sattolo says.
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WORKFORCE

Future of Work Forum in Salalah concludes

The Future of Work Forum organised by Oman's Ministry of Labour has concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex in Salalah. The event featured discussions on key work environment topics, including talent attraction and social dialogue's role in sustainable labour markets. The first session focused on creating motivating work environments and included papers on social protection and public-private partnerships. Another session addressed challenges in labour markets and the need for effective social dialogue models.
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LEGAL

UAE court orders company to pay ex-employee

The Abu Dhabi Labour Court has ordered a private company in UAE to pay its former employee Dh89,620 in unpaid dues. The amount includes Dh87,500 in commission, Dh3,343 in end-of-service gratuity, and Dh2,120 for unused leave days. The employee, who worked for the company for 13 months, filed a lawsuit seeking various payments. The company's legal team claimed all dues were paid, but an accounting expert confirmed the employee's entitlement to commission. The court accepted the expert's findings, saying: "In the absence of specific contractual conditions, employee entitlements must be interpreted considering the employer's internal policies."
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Qatar Chamber concludes ISO training programme

Qatar Chamber recently completed a four-day training programme on ‘Certified ISO 26000 Lead Auditor on Social Responsibility Management System’. Seventeen participants from various Qatari entities and several Arab countries attended. The programme covered ISO 26000 guidelines, the auditor's role, and practical audit management. Fatima Issa al-Kuwari, head of Training and Development at Qatar Chamber, said: "This programme supports national and regional efforts to enhance human capacities." She emphasised the Chamber's commitment to specialised training that meets labour market needs and boosts productivity across sectors.
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INVESTMENT

Norway reviews wealth fund's Israeli investments

Norway's government has initiated a review of its sovereign wealth fund portfolio to exclude Israeli companies linked to the occupation of the West Bank or the conflict in Gaza. The decision follows a report which revealed that the fund, valued at $1.9tn, invested in Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd (BSEL), which services Israel's armed forces. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere expressed concern, saying: "We must get clarification on this because reading about it makes me uneasy." The fund currently holds stakes in 65 Israeli companies, valued at $1.95bn.
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INTERNATIONAL

Staff in UK quit over office working demands

A number of UK workers are opting to resign instead of returning to the office as companies enforce stricter in-person attendance. According to a survey of 583 businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), 10% of firms said staff have left over policies mandating a return to the office. Over 40% of firms have increased office attendance requirements, with nearly half expecting full-time office work within a year. Jane Gratton, the BCC's director of public policy, said: "With the cost of doing business continuing to escalate, firms are looking to boost productivity . . . Hybrid working has become a fixture of modern working life since the pandemic and is valued by employers and their workforce. But it does not suit everyone and, for some firms, a full on-site model may be the best solution for the business.”

Odisha allows women to work night shifts

The government of the eastern Indian state of Odisha has approved night shifts for women in shops and commercial establishments, but written consent from the employee is mandatory. The Labour and Employees' State Insurance Department issued guidelines mandating at least three women on night shifts and ensuring safe transportation with GPS tracking. Employers must provide essential facilities, including toilets and CCTV surveillance. The decision aims to enhance employment opportunities for women. Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia stressed: "Female employees will have to give their written consent, expressing their willingness to work at night." The opposition BJD party has criticised the government's move.

Black women unemployment rate in US rises to 6.3%

The US economy is holding steady, yet Black women are experiencing a troubling rise in unemployment, with a rate of 6.3% reported in July, up from 5.8% the previous month. The increase is part of a broader trend: Black women lost approximately 304,000 jobs between February and April 2025, while the overall workforce added 175,000 jobs. Jessica Fulton, a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank with a focus on Black Americans, observes that any cracks within the overall US economy always show up for Black workers first. “Black workers, and particularly Black women, show up as a canary in the coal mine, giving a picture of what may happen to everyone else later,” Fulton said.

Thailand's human capital development 'faces challenges'

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and UNICEF have released a report highlighting critical gaps in Thailand's human capital development. The report, titled Human Capital Development in Thailand: An Examination of Gaps, Bottlenecks, and Policy Options, reveals that many children lack essential skills and health. Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand, said: "Thailand stands at a pivotal moment in addressing long-term challenges." Key issues include malnutrition, low educational quality, and a mismatch between education and employment. The report calls for urgent policy action to invest in youth and address these challenges.
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OTHER

India dismisses call to change ‘GAY’ airport code

India’s civil aviation ministry has dismissed calls to change the “GAY” code for Gaya International Airport after Bhim Singh, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, deemed it “offensive.” The ministry said such International Air Transport Association (IATA) codes are permanent and can only be altered for aviation safety reasons. Singh had told the upper house of India’s parliament that the word “gay” was “socially and culturally offensive and uncomfortable,” particularly for a religious destination such as the city of Gaya.
 
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