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Middle East Edition
19th December 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

MoHRE completes 13m transactions without human intervention

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) says it has completed around 13m transactions using automation and artificial intelligence technologies since the start of the year. The achievement aligns with the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, enhancing the UAE labour market's competitiveness. The upgraded AI system has granted approximately 900,000 work permit quotas and processed over 11m transactions, reducing human effort by 56%. The system's self-learning capabilities improve decision-making, ensuring accurate outcomes and efficient service delivery. "This reflects our commitment to operational excellence," said a MoHRE representative.
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LEGAL

Fujairah amends HR law to facilitate salary increases and employee benefits

The Government of Fujairah has amended its Human Resources Law to enhance employee benefits and secure salary increases. Effective from 1st January 2026, the law aims to stabilise the legal and financial status of government employees. Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, director of the Fujairah Amiri Diwan, said that the amendments reflect the Ruler's commitment to improving job stability and government services. Mohammed Khalifa Al Zeyoudi, director of human resources, noted that the changes will help attract talent and ensure a decent standard of living for residents and citizens alike.
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REMOTE WORKING

Dubai government employees shift to remote work today

Dubai government employees will transition to remote work today following directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister. The move aims to protect staff amid stormy weather conditions while ensuring government services continue. All government entities must implement the directive, except for roles requiring physical presence. The private sector is also encouraged to adopt similar measures where possible.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Starbucks opens first sign language stores in Saudi Arabia

Starbucks, in collaboration with LiajLehum Association, a non-profit organisation dedicated to serving and empowering individuals with disabilities, has launched its first sign language stores in Saudi Arabia, promoting accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and aims to empower individuals with disabilities through specialised training and future employment opportunities. His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Farhan Al Saud, chief executive of LiajLehum, said: “This step reaffirms our commitment to empowering the deaf community.” Starbucks plans to expand these opportunities across its stores in the Kingdom, reinforcing its dedication to inclusion and diversity.
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LEADERSHIP

Amazon overhauls AI team as chief declares an ‘inflection point’

Amazon has announced a management shake-up, including the departure of its artificial intelligence (AI) chief, as the company prioritises catching up with rivals on their advanced chips and large language models.  Rohit Prasad, who helped build the Alexa voice assistant and led its AI efforts recently, will leave the company at the end of the year, while long-time executive Peter DeSantis will lead a new division developing the firm's AI development, chipmaking unit, and quantum computing research. Additionally Pieter Abbeel, who joined Amazon last year, is set to head up frontier model research with the AGI organisation and continue to work on robotics. "We are at this inflection point with several of our new technologies that will power a significant amount of our future customer experiences," Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy wrote in a post to employees on Wednesday.
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WORKFORCE

QIB employees mark Qatar National Day

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) celebrated National Day with an event at its head office, emphasising unity and national pride. The celebration featured activities inspired by local heritage, including a traditional Qatari Ardah performance. Bassel Gamal, QIB Group chief executive, said: “Qatar National Day is an occasion that is close to the hearts of everyone.” He acknowledged the employees' role in the bank's success and extended congratulations to Qatar's leadership. QIB said it remains dedicated to supporting national initiatives and enhancing employee engagement, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

IBM boosts Saudi digital future

IBM has made significant strides in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, announcing key milestones at IBM Think on Tour 2025 in Riyadh. The company empowered over 500,000 Saudi nationals through its SkillsBuild programme, exceeding initial targets. Fahad Alanazi, general manager of IBM Saudi Arabia, said: "Surpassing the goal is a testament to the ambition of Saudi youth." Additionally, IBM launched operations in Al-Baha, enhancing local consulting capabilities.
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INTERNATIONAL

Delayed US jobs report reveals hiring slowdown in November

US job growth slowed sharply in November, with only 64,000 jobs added and the unemployment rate rising from 4.4% in September to 4.6%, the highest in over four years. The Labor Department report, the publication of which was delayed due to the six-week federal government shutdown, also showed a net loss of 105,000 jobs in October, primarily due to federal workforce reductions. “The US economy is in a jobs recession,” said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. “The nation has added a mere 100,000 in the past six months. The bulk of those jobs were in healthcare, an industry that is almost always hiring due to America’s aging population.”

JD.com invests in housing for couriers

Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com has pledged 22bn yuan ($3.12bn) in housing support for its delivery riders. JD.com said it has already provided 28,000 units of housing for front-line employees and will provide 150,000 units over the next five years. Food delivery firm Meituan last month made a similar promise, and said it would invest 10bn yuan over the next five years to build a more comprehensive welfare system for its couriers. The firm has a subsidised "Rider Apartments" scheme in cities including Beijing, Shenzhen and Chongqing which offers affordable, secure and subsidised housing. Rents in some areas of Beijing are offered at around 50% of market rates.

Class action filed against Woolworths for alleged staff underpayments

Class action proceedings have been filed against Australian grocery giant Woolworths in Federal Court, alleging potential underpayments to staff in South Australia. Woolworths said the claims brought by Shine Lawyers involve a subsidiary, and were based on a South Australian state law that was repealed some time ago, which deemed Sundays to be public holidays. Woolworths said it would defend the proceedings. A prior proceeding had been filed by another law firm, Dutton Law, regarding staff underpayments.

Salary growth forecast for Malaysia

Aon's 2025 Salary Increase and Turnover Study reveals that Malaysian businesses are budgeting an average salary increase of 4.8% for 2026. The life sciences and medical devices sector is expected to lead this growth, followed by manufacturing and retail. The study, which surveyed over 700 businesses across Southeast Asia, highlights Malaysia's attrition rate at 18.2%, driven by a competitive labour market. Rahul Chawla, partner at Aon, noted: "Malaysian organisations are prioritising retention of top talent amid rising compensation costs." Companies are focusing on hiring for in-demand roles, particularly in technology and cybersecurity.
 
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