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Middle East Edition
24th April 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Gulf women lead the charge in development

Gulf women are increasingly shaping the development landscape in GCC countries, as highlighted in the GCC-Stat report. Employed females in the region rose from 5.7m in 2020 to 7.3m by 2025. Female labour force participation is projected to reach 39.3%, with a 10.5% unemployment rate. The report noted improvements in women's employment indicators, including an 8% rise in participation and a 26.1% drop in unemployment. Women play crucial roles in health, education, and tourism, with significant representation in nursing and teaching. The female population in the GCC is expected to grow to 22.9m by 2024.
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EBOOK

Fix onboarding bottlenecks with automation and AI

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WORKFORCE

Bahrain's bold move to protect jobs

More than 105,500 Bahraini workers may receive their April salaries through the unemployment insurance account, pending a law discussion at the Shura Council. This amendment allows temporary use of the fund to pay wages for one month, addressing regional economic challenges. Dr Jameela Al Salman, chairwoman of the Shura Council services committee, stated: "The unemployment insurance account enjoys excellent solvency." The law aims to stabilise employment relationships and prevent job losses. The committee prioritised this bill due to its direct impact on people's incomes, ensuring swift execution if approved.

Qatari women lead tech revolution

As International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated, Qatari women are making significant strides in the technology sector. They represent nearly 70% of graduates in key fields like information systems and computer engineering. At the 2025 Web Summit in Qatar, women-founded start-ups made up 47% of participants, showcasing their growing influence. Dr Dena Ahmed al-Thani from Hamad Bin Khalifa University highlighted the importance of state support and education in fostering this progress. She stated: "Diverse teams produce more inclusive and innovative solutions," emphasising the need for women's participation in technology for sustainable development.
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LEGAL

Kuwait investigates labour violations

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in Kuwait has initiated an urgent investigation into potential labour violations and human trafficking following reports of workers gathering outside its headquarters. The authority activated its emergency response team and coordinated with government bodies to ensure the safety of the workers, who were moved to designated shelters for care. Preliminary findings revealed multiple breaches of labour laws and signs of exploitation in the delivery sector. PAM has referred the case to criminal investigators to pursue legal action and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers' rights and enforcing labour regulations.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Workplace stress linked to 900,000 deaths

Workplace stress is a significant global issue, causing nearly 900,000 deaths annually, according to a report by the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO). The study, titled “The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action,” highlights factors such as long hours, job insecurity, and bullying as key contributors to serious health problems. Manal Azzi, ILO team lead, stated: "Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges in the modern world of work." The ILO urges action to address these risks and improve workplace safety for better health and productivity.

Vodafone Qatar prioritises employee well-being

Vodafone Qatar is enhancing its commitment to employee well-being through various health initiatives. Earlier this year, the company hosted two sessions focused on healthy eating during Ramadan and mental resilience, attracting over 320 employees. Additionally, awareness sessions on breast and prostate cancer were conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Qatar Cancer Society. Looking ahead, Vodafone Qatar plans to introduce new initiatives, including stress management sessions and health screenings, to support employees' physical and mental health.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Alshaya Group opens new talent centre

Alshaya Group has inaugurated its first Global Talent Centre in Egypt, marking a significant milestone in its 20-year presence in the country. Located in Citystars, the centre aims to support Egypt's digital transformation and enhance the local IT and offshoring sectors. John Hadden, chief executive of Alshaya Group, stated: "Egypt is now a vital strategic partner in our regional expansion." The centre will create over 400 new jobs for Egyptian nationals, focusing on skills development and employability. Eng. Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of ITIDA, welcomed the partnership, highlighting Egypt's potential as a leading destination for IT services.

Saudi Esports Federation boosts local talent

The Saudi Esports Federation and the Saudi Entertainment and Event Management Academy have signed a partnership to enhance local talent in gaming and event management. Rawan AlButairi, chief executive of the Saudi Esports Federation, stated that the collaboration aims to provide training, workshops, and internships to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Since the SEF Academy's launch in August 2023, over 1,100 participants have graduated. Dr. Eihab Abourokbah, CEO of SEEMA, noted that this partnership will help develop the next generation of talent in the esports sector, which offers numerous career opportunities.
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LEADERSHIP

Dan Shapero is LinkedIn's new CEO

LinkedIn has named Daniel Shapero as ​its new chief executive. Shapero, who joined LinkedIn in 2008 ⁠as a general manager ​for the LinkedIn Research Network, ​will replace Ryan Roslansky. “Dan has led sales, marketing, and product across the most important parts of this business,” Roslansky wrote in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday. “He knows our members, our customers, and carries the mission in a way that’s genuinely rare.” Roslansky will retain his position as executive vice president at LinkedIn parent Microsoft.
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SUSTAINABILITY

Oman joins global sustainable tourism movement

Oman has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to enhance its tourism sector's sustainability. The MoU, signed by Sayyid Ibrahim Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, aims to develop comprehensive policies for sustainable tourism. It includes technical support from the GSTC for integrating sustainability into national tourism practices. The Minister stated: "Sustainability in the tourism sector is no longer a supplementary option, but rather the framework that shapes all development and investment decisions." The initiative seeks to balance economic growth with the protection of natural and cultural resources.

QNB Group champions sustainability on Earth Day

On Earth Day, QNB Group launched sustainability initiatives to enhance environmental awareness among its employees in Qatar and globally. The activities, held at QNB Al Mathaf Tower, encouraged staff to adopt climate-conscious habits. Notably, the bank replaced employee shuttle services with electric buses and introduced an electric vehicle-powered coffee station. These efforts align with Qatar's National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), which focus on reducing emissions and promoting sustainable practices. QNB Group also achieved GSAS Gold certification for its Head Office, highlighting its commitment to environmental responsibility.
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INTERNATIONAL

US Labor Department proposes rules on contract and franchise worker pay

The US Department of Labor has announced a proposed rule that would narrow the circumstances in which a business can be considered the "joint employer" of another company's workers under the federal law requiring a minimum wage and ​overtime pay, in a move that Reuters says will make it more difficult to hold companies liable when their contractors or franchisees ‌violate federal wage laws. Acting Labor ⁠Secretary Keith Sonderling said the proposal would make it easier for employers ​to comply with the law, and would ultimately be to the benefit of workers. "A clear standard on joint employment would give businesses more ​confidence to invest in partnerships, help employees understand their rights, and make the department’s investigations more efficient," Sonderling said.

Four-week strike at Belgium's postal service

A strike at Belgium’s Bpost postal service is now in its fourth week. The strike began spontaneously at the end of March and has been ongoing since. Staff are opposed to the planned restructuring of parcel and mail delivery. Deliveries have largely stopped in Brussels and the service is operating at about 50% capacity in the French-speaking Wallonia region. Bpost has made a new offer to unions, which a union representative said was an improvement but was not certain to satisfy union members. Management hopes that final negotiations with the unions will lead to an agreement before April 30.

Chile's long-awaited reform package is unveiled

Chile's President Jose Antonio Kast has announced a reform package aimed at stimulating economic growth and promoting job stability. The plan includes 40 measures, notably reducing the corporate tax rate from 27% to 23% over four years. Kast emphasised that the reforms are a response to urgent economic challenges, saying: "This bill is not an ideological agenda. It is a concrete response to . . . real emergencies." The government has said it aims to increase annual growth to 4% from last year's 2.5%. Other tax measures include the creation of a tax credit for wage payments, which is designed to encourage many smaller companies to pay employees on the books. "This injects $1.4bn annually into the productive sector, benefits 235,000 SMEs (representing 86% of the credit's recipients), and protects more than 4m workers. Formal employment will no longer be a penalty but an ⁠advantage," Kast said.

Chinese migrant workers return home as urban jobs grow scarcer

The number of Chinese migrant workers willing to travel outside their provinces to find jobs is falling, and policymakers are fretting about a ‘large-scale’ movement back to the country's rural interior.
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OTHER

Pakistan reviews Hajj preparations

Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf last week reviewed preparations for Hajj 2026. The country will send over 179,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The first flight departed on April 18, with operations continuing until May 21. Yousaf urged pilgrims to follow the Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj's instructions and comply with Saudi laws. He directed officials to ensure hospitals and dispensaries in Makkah and Madinah are operational before pilgrims arrive. The ministry also encourages the use of the “Pak Hajj 2026” mobile app for flight information.
 
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