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Middle East Edition
4th June 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

UAE employers boost benefits amid salary stagnation

Employers in the UAE are enhancing employee benefits as salary increases remain modest, averaging only 4%. Sanjeev Giri, head of sales and operations at Adecco UAE, noted: "The real story isn't that employers are getting more generous; it's that they can't win on salary anymore." Companies are now focusing on mental health support, flexible work, and financial planning services to retain talent. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards succession planning and will drafting, particularly among expatriates concerned about legal preparedness in the UAE's complex inheritance landscape, according to Mohammad Marria, chief executive of Just Wills Legal Consultants.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

UAE Skills Platform set to transform education

The UAE Skills Platform, launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), aims to develop over 1,700 skills for 200,000 students across 200 institutions. This AI-powered platform integrates education data with labour market intelligence to enhance student readiness for future employment. MoHRE stated: "The platform represents a strategic step towards strengthening integration between the education system and the labour market." It supports career exploration, skills development, and lifelong learning, while enabling educational institutions to align their programmes with market needs. Users can access the platform via its app or website.

Oman’s talent training initiative takes off

Omani institutions are launching a summer training programme in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University, involving 18 students from various disciplines. The initiative aims to enhance national talent and align educational outcomes with labour market needs. It focuses on integrating Omani professionals into future projects, ensuring they play key roles in planning and implementation. The programme also aims to connect employment policies with national development plans, encouraging investment in training and fostering partnerships between public and private sectors. "If national talent is properly utilised, it will create more employment opportunities," said a spokesperson.

Elevate your career with Mazad

Mazad, a leading digital auction platform in Bahrain, has launched the Elevate Summer Internship Program to empower graduates in digital marketplace careers. The eight-week programme offers internships in various fields, including software engineering, cybersecurity, and marketing. Interns will gain hands-on experience in developing and managing digital marketplaces, working on real projects alongside Mazad employees. Chief executive Nezar Habib stated: "We aim to prepare a generation of professionals who are well-versed in digital commerce." Applications are open until June 15, with the programme starting on June 28.

Qatar schools ready for exams

Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education has completed preparations for second-semester final exams for the 2025-26 academic year, starting tomorrow. Ibrahim Abdullah Rashid al-Muhannadi, director of the Student Assessment Department, said 16,487 Grade 12 students are registered across 87 centres and 818 committees, supervised by 4,406 staff. Preparations covered question setting, review, printing, distribution and centre readiness. Al-Muhannadi said the ministry uses “a precise system to ensure fairness in grading and accuracy in results.” Exams for grades 1 to 12 will run on staggered schedules through June 21.
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HEALTH & SAFETY

Dubai Municipality partners for safer workplaces

Dubai Municipality has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) to enhance occupational health and safety systems. This partnership aims to create a sustainable work environment that meets international standards, improving employee wellbeing and productivity. Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafee, acting chief executive of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency, said: "The collaboration marks a significant step forward in fostering a safe work environment." IOSH's Chief Executive, Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher, noted the importance of combining expertise to advance workplace safety and resilience.

Safety audit launched for MEA

The Lebanese aviation regulator has initiated a safety audit of Middle East Airlines (MEA) following concerns raised by pilot groups about flying near airstrikes and potential penalties for reporting safety issues. MEA, which operates around 20 planes, has been crucial in maintaining connectivity during regional conflicts. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) expressed serious concerns about the risks involved in flying in conflict zones. MEA maintains a strong safety record and claims that its operations are based on thorough risk assessments. "We consider this an unconscionable risk," said IFALPA President Ron Hay.
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FLEXIBLE WORKING

Flexible hours to ease Riyadh traffic

Saudi Arabia has launched a flexible working hours initiative in six major business districts of Riyadh. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, introduced a four-hour attendance window for employees at over 50 government entities. This initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance daily mobility. Employees can start work between 5:30am and 9:30am or 7am and 11am, depending on their governing laws. The scheme excludes sectors requiring fixed schedules, such as healthcare and public education. The initiative supports Riyadh's urban development under Vision 2030.
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WORKPLACE

Last chance for parent-friendly label

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority announced that organisations in the UAE have 60 days to apply for the fourth cycle of the Parent-friendly Label programme, with applications closing on July 31, 2026. This voluntary award recognises organisations that foster supportive work environments for parents. For the first time, government entities can participate through collaboration with the Ministry of Family. The programme aims to enhance family-focused workplace culture, with previous recipients eligible to upgrade their status. The authority noted that 71% of working parents reported increased productivity due to supportive policies.
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PRODUCTIVITY

Revolutionising AI workforce management

Agnt8x, developed by EightX Labs Ltd, is a new platform designed to streamline the recruitment and management of AI agents across various LLM providers. Launched on Wednesday, it offers a unified system for hiring, onboarding, and managing AI agents, addressing the current fragmentation in the market. John Shipman, chief executive of EightX Labs, stated: "Every company will have an AI workforce, and right now there is no system to run it." The platform includes features like an ontological job board and a private enterprise catalogue, aiming to create a neutral marketplace for AI agents.

World Cup could take employees’ eyes off the ball

UKG research estimates the World Cup could cost global employers $17bn in lost productivity, as 37% of workers plan to change their schedules during the tournament. The survey of 8,000 employees across eight countries found 27% may arrive late, leave early or miss work, while 14% expect to secretly stream matches during work hours. The expanded tournament, hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 nations and 104 games. Suresh Vittal, chief product officer at UKG, said: “Productivity drops, customer experience suffers, and morale takes a hit.”
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HIRING

AI deepfake trickster lands tech job

Jake Moore, a cybersecurity expert, used AI to create two personas, including an Asian woman named Jackie Morris, to secure a tech job. He beat 261 applicants for a £30,000 role as a customer acquisition specialist. Moore, who has a background in cybercrime, spent five months planning his deepfake strategy, using software to alter his voice and appearance. He demonstrated how easily AI-generated identities can deceive hiring processes at Infosecurity Europe, stating: "Don't take things at face value." His findings highlight vulnerabilities in remote hiring security.
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STRATEGY

AI in performance management: a double-edged sword

Mercer's report, “Reimagining Performance Management In The Age Of AI,” revealed that 60% of HR leaders feel performance management is ineffective. The report highlights that AI-enabled performance management can reinforce existing biases by prioritising easily measurable activities over essential but less visible work. Michelle Battersby, President of Peanut, noted: "Organisations misunderstand that caregivers, mothers especially, are not less ambitious." The report suggests that AI tools could benefit working mothers if they assess outcomes fairly, rather than reinforcing traditional biases around speed and visibility.
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ECONOMY

Qatar boosts private sector for growth

Qatar is enhancing the private sector's role in economic diversification, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) is implementing initiatives to improve the business environment and boost local production. The strategy includes better access to financing and supportive regulations. A public-private partnership framework is central to attracting investment and improving efficiency. The MoCI noted that empowering local companies strengthens the industrial base and reduces imports. As Qatar progresses with its Third National Development Strategy, the private sector's involvement is crucial for sustainable economic growth.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Empowering Saudi women in the workplace

Elsewedy Electric, a prominent energy and infrastructure provider, is committed to empowering Saudi women in the workplace. Currently, female employees make up about 6.5% of the workforce in Saudi Arabia. The Group aims to enhance women's participation in various sectors, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Sarah Naji from the Human Resources Department said: "The Group is currently working to attract female talent in engineering and technical fields." Elsewedy Electric is dedicated to creating a supportive work environment, offering flexible hours and development opportunities to foster women's professional growth.
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LEGAL

Oman bans child and domestic worker content

Oman has enacted a new law prohibiting the use of children and domestic workers in social media content, aiming to safeguard their privacy and dignity. This legislation seeks to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation for commercial purposes.
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INTERNATIONAL

AI workplace boom leaves workers overwhelmed

Research from Henley Business School reveals that the rapid rise of AI in the UK has left many employees feeling overwhelmed. The annual survey of 2,900 workers found that 60% were unaware of AI guidelines from their employers. Concerns include over-reliance on AI, loss of critical thinking skills, and difficulty identifying errors. Professor Keiichi Nakata noted a disconnect between AI ambition and action, stating: "People are experiencing 'change fatigue' and a lack of clarity in how to use AI effectively and responsibly." Despite fears, 58% of respondents remain optimistic about AI in the workplace.
 
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