THE HOT STORY

Oman sets new remote work rules

Oman's Ministry of Labour has introduced Ministerial Decision No. 523/2025, establishing a legal framework for remote work. The regulation aims to clarify obligations for both employers and employees. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, founding partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, said: "The decision explicitly defines remote work as tasks performed using information technology from outside the premises." Employers must provide necessary tools and cannot intrude on worker privacy. Employees have rights, including the ability to disconnect if privacy is violated. The framework also differentiates between part-time and full-time remote work arrangements.

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HR TECHNOLOGY

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STRATEGY

UAE's offshore industry to recruit thousands

The UAE's offshore industry is projected to create nearly 83,000 skilled jobs over the next five years, according to research by Robert Walters. The sector's economic contribution is expected to rise from $4.79bn to $7bn by 2030. Phill Brown, head of market intelligence at Robert Walters, noted that offshoring is becoming a strategic part of the UAE economy. Key growth factors include the UAE's strategic location, strong English proficiency, and modern infrastructure. David Barr, chief executive of outsourcing at Robert Walters, said: "More companies are viewing offshoring not as a cost-cutting tactic but as a talent access strategy."

Khaleej Times Online

LEGAL

Oman and Bahrain boost labour ties

Oman and Bahrain took part in a two-day workshop in Muscat to enhance cooperation in labour and human resources development (HRD). The event aimed to share expertise and discuss modern employment policies, innovation support mechanisms, and models for empowering youth and women in the labour market. The initiative reflected the longstanding relations between the two nations and their commitment to meeting the aspirations of their people for a prosperous future. The workshop was part of broader efforts to strengthen collaboration within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

TimesofOman

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Bahrain invests in local talent growth

Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) has advanced the professional growth of 136 Bahraini employees through various programmes supported by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). The initiative aligns with Tamkeen's 2025 strategic priorities, which aim to enhance the competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector. The focus is on equipping individuals with the necessary skills for career development while prioritising enterprise growth, digitisation, and sustainability. A spokesperson from Tamkeen said: "Our support is crucial for developing local talent in the financial services sector."

Gdn Online

TECHNOLOGY

AI can become a new ‘favourite co-worker’ to HR

The HR and payroll sector is looking to keep pace with advanced technologies, most notably, artificial intelligence. Organisations in the business of human capital management (HCM) are increasingly embracing the power of AI with sophisticated platforms tailored to the unique demands of HR and payroll. One such organisation is UKG, a provider of HR, payroll and workforce management solutions for organisations worldwide. UKG has developed and is offering its clients a conversational AI tool called UKG Bryte AI. “The power of AI is not in replacing people – it’s in augmenting them,” says Julie Develin, senior partner, human insights, at UKG. “It’s about creating the time and space for HR and payroll professionals to focus on building better workplaces.”

The Globe and Mail

AI can’t write good analyst research yet, says analyst

AI tools which sought to mimic the thought processes of an equities analyst make too many mistakes, lack predictive power and tend to miss the big picture, according to Bernstein Research.

Financial Times

INTERNATIONAL

US worker confidence in finding a new job at record low

Polling results published last week by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show that American workers' confidence in finding a new job if they lose their current position is at a record low. The perceived probability of finding a new job in the next three months dropped by 5.8 percentage points to 44.9%, the lowest score since the Fed started surveying households on the subject in 2013. The increase in pessimism was seen across all age, education, and income groups, the New York Fed said. The share of consumers saying their financial situations were worse than a year ago rose, as did the share of those expecting a worsening in the future. Expectations for future access to credit deteriorated while perceived chances of missing a minimum debt payment in the next three months rose.

Bloomberg

CNBC

Wall Street Journal

UK employers warned on abuse of visa sponsorship for foreign workers

Government ministers are taking action against “shameful” abuse of the UK's immigration system. The number of licences for companies to sponsor foreign workers which have been revoked has more than doubled in the past year: Home Office figures indicate that 1,948 sponsors for skilled and temporary workers had their licences cancelled in the year to June 2025, compared to 937 in the previous 12 month period. Migration minister Mike Tapp said: ”Those who abuse our immigration system must face the strongest possible consequences. We will not hesitate to ban companies from sponsoring workers from overseas where this is being done to undercut British workers and exploit vulnerable staff. My message to unscrupulous employers is clear: these shameful practices will not be tolerated.”

AOL

Spain's shorter work week bill is scuttled in parliament

Opposition lawmakers in Spain's lower house have united with regional business-friendly Catalan party Junts against a bill that would have shortened the work week by 2-1/2 hours, preventing it from reaching the floor for debate. The legislation had been championed by Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz and the country's main trade unions. Diaz nevertheless said she would reintroduce the measure lowering the cap on weekly work hours to 37-1/2 from the current 40. She described Junts' veto as "incomprehensible." The bill's opponents had argued that smaller employers would be unable to shoulder the higher cost burden deriving from the policy, leading to job losses.

Reuters

Deloitte US tightens office attendance rules for staff in India

Deloitte US has instructed its staff in India to work in the office at least two days a week, effective from October 1. The change follows the company's shift from flexible work policies established during the pandemic. Non-compliance will be monitored and will potentially impact performance reviews. A spokesperson for Deloitte said: "We are committed to fostering collaboration and productivity through in-person interactions."

Bloomberg Tax

OTHER

Gulf family businesses face succession challenges

Research from Lombard Odier suggests that only 18% of family businesses in the Gulf have a comprehensive succession plan. The 2025 GCC Succession Planning Survey highlights a disconnect between recognition and readiness, with 49% of high-net-worth families postponing succession planning. Cultural barriers, such as disagreements and limited expert guidance, hinder progress. Despite this, 96% of older and 93% of younger respondents express confidence in the next generation's leadership. Ali Janoudi, head of new markets at Lombard Odier, said: "Succession is not something that happens all at once." The study surveyed 300 high-net-worth individuals across the region.

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