THE HOT STORY

UAE firms face fines if Emiratisation goals are missed

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has set June 30, 2026, as the final deadline for private firms with 50 or more employees to meet Emiratisation targets. Companies must achieve a 1% increase in Emiratisation rates for skilled jobs in the first half of 2026, with penalties for non-compliance starting July 1. The MoHRE encourages firms to utilise the “Nafis” platform to connect with Emirati jobseekers and enhance recruitment efforts. The ministry will begin verifying compliance from July 1, ensuring that newly hired Emiratis are registered with social insurance funds.

Gulfnews.com

WORKFORCE

Emirates Group employees to receive 20-week salary bonus

Emirates Group has announced a 20-week salary bonus for its employees after achieving a record profit before tax of Dh 24.4bn for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This profit marks a 7% increase year-on-year, with revenues reaching Dh 150.5bn. Despite challenges from the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, the group’s workforce has grown by 8% to 130,919 employees. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chair and chief executive, praised employees for their resilience during difficult times, saying: "You showed up with commitment and passion."

Gulfnews.com

STRATEGY

Tawazun, Lockheed Martin to establish assembly plant in UAE

The Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement is partnering with Lockheed Martin to create a microelectronics design and assembly facility in the UAE. The initiative, executed alongside EDGE and Khalifa University, aims to enhance local manufacturing capabilities and establish the UAE as a competitive hub for advanced technologies. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, general-director of Industry Development Directorate, emphasised the project's role in developing a sustainable chiplet ecosystem. Lockheed Martin's Daniel Mouton noted that the agreement strengthens the UAE's position in the global microelectronics value chain, fostering innovation and high-value jobs.

Zawya EN

Trade Arabia

TECHNOLOGY

AI investment surges in UAE

During the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event, His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, highlighted that AI is attracting unprecedented investment in the UAE. He introduced the concept of Domestic Direct Investment (DDI), emphasising the need to elevate local investors. With 64% of the working-age population using generative AI tools, the UAE leads globally in AI adoption. Industry leaders noted that AI is already transforming sectors, with ADNOC Upstream reporting a 50% reduction in shutdown times due to AI. "We're just scratching the surface," said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chief executive of ADNOC Upstream.

Zawya EN

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Scientists working to create hantavirus vaccine

An international team of scientists is working to create a vaccine against hantavirus, which is suspected of killing three people on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Chemistry Professor Asel Sartbaeva, from the University of Bath, is part of the team involving experts in the United States and South Africa currently working on a vaccine. "Obviously, developing a vaccine would be amazing because then we can prevent instances of this disease happening or at least mitigate the really bad consequences of the infection," she said. In its latest update, the WHO said eight cases of hantavirus - three confirmed and five suspected - have so far been identified in people who were on the ship. The origin of the outbreak is still unknown and it is not known if people other than passengers from the ship have been infected.

BBC News

INTERNATIONAL

Freshworks to cut 11% of its workforce

Business-software company Freshworks is to cut 11% of its workforce, or about 500 jobs, as the firm navigates disruptions caused by rapid advances in artificial ‌intelligence. Dennis Woodside, chief executive of the San Mateo, California-based business, said the decision was driven partly by AI use in product and engineering, and also automation of routine work across the organization. "Over half of our code is written by AI," he said, adding that automation ‌had ⁠reduced "rote work that technology can take care of."

Reuters

BioNTech shuts down COVID vaccine production

BioNTech, the German company that is best known for its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, is ceasing production of the vaccine and transferring responsibilities to Pfizer. The company is restructuring to concentrate on cancer research, citing a significant drop in demand for COVID vaccines. BioNTech plans to close several production sites, affecting up to 1,860 jobs. The closures are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Deutsche Welle (EN)

Monthly minimum income in Venezuela to rise to $240

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez has announced a rise in the monthly minimum income to $240 and pensions to $70 amid ongoing protests among workers demanding higher salaries due to soaring inflation, which reached 649% in March. Rodriguez acknowledged the protests, stating: "When I see workers protesting, I think, 'They're right.' We want better wages for workers." The last salary increase occurred in March 2022, and the depreciation of the bolivar has significantly raised the cost of bonuses. Protests have intensified since the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, with public sector workers, numbering over 3m, increasingly voicing their discontent. Rodriguez also emphasised the need for further measures to support the elderly, who have been particularly affected by the country's economic crisis.

U.S. News

Samsung union urged to resolve pay disputes

Samsung Electronics board chairman Shin Je-yoon has called on unionised workers to resolve pay ‌disputes with management. In an internal ⁠memo to employees, Shin Je-yoon said a planned strike could hurt investors and employees and have "serious consequences" for the Korean economy, and he was "worried about losing market leadership amid fleeing customers and falling competitiveness" if strikes disrupted deliveries and production. "It's time to resolve the problem through sincere dialogue," Shin said.

Reuters

OTHER

Revolutionising social support in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia is creating a unified digital platform for social support. The platform aims to integrate various social assistance programs into a single interface, improving accessibility for those in need. The ministry emphasised user-centric design, focusing on flexibility and efficiency in managing applicant data. It aims to accommodate the unique needs of each programme while ensuring effective operation. Current programs include child support, youth empowerment, and services for the elderly, among others. "This approach will ensure that the platform serves as a robust and effective tool," the ministry said.

Saudi Gazette

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