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Middle East Edition
5th June 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI shapes future of work

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi recently highlighted the National Skills Platform at the 114th Session of the International Labor Conference in Geneva. He emphasised the role of responsible artificial intelligence in creating a sustainable future of work. Al-Rajhi noted that 2026 is designated as the Year of Artificial Intelligence in Saudi Arabia, aiming to enhance productivity and labour market efficiency. He stated: "The future of work in the age of artificial intelligence will not be determined by technology alone, but by the ability to invest in people." The Kingdom's initiatives include the Wage Protection Program and the Qiwa platform, serving millions of workers.
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WORKFORCE

AI revolutionises jobs in Arab world

Dr. Nidal Abou Zaki, founder and managing Ddirector of Orient Planet Group, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on the Arab private sector during a recent forum in Cairo. He noted that 40% of global jobs could be affected by digital transformation, with 44% of skills expected to change in the next five years. The AI market is projected to reach $4.8tn by 2033. Abou Zaki emphasised the need for organisations to embrace AI strategically to enhance productivity and competitiveness, warning that without proper planning, many AI projects may fail to deliver expected returns.

Expat workers thrive under new policy

Since early May, 14,440 expatriate workers have benefited from Kuwait's new transfer policy, with applications still being processed until the end of June. The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector leads with 8,553 requests, followed by agriculture (2,705), industry (1,642), livestock (1,393), and fishing (147). Authorities are processing thousands of applications, but many have been rejected due to non-compliance, particularly without original employer approval. Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, the First Deputy Prime Minister, emphasised that the transfer mechanism is temporary and requires strict adherence to legal conditions.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Connecting Emiratis with employers

The UAE's Emiratisation initiative is evolving, focusing on connecting national talent with job opportunities. The Nafis programme has successfully employed over 176,000 Emiratis, with 152,000 active beneficiaries across 32,000 establishments. The private-sector workforce grew by 12.4% in 2025, indicating a robust labour market. Tawdheef × Zaheb 2026 aims to enhance this momentum by facilitating direct employer access and practical candidate preparation. Fadi Harb, event director at Informa Middle East, said: "The next priority is making sure this progress continues to translate into meaningful careers." The event will also introduce an Entrepreneurship Zone to support aspiring Emirati entrepreneurs.

Graduates from 21 countries celebrated

The Dubai Business Associates (DBA) programme recently celebrated its 11th cohort, graduating 37 participants from 21 countries. The ceremony, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, highlighted the programme's commitment to developing future global leaders. His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani noted that the rising international demand reflects confidence in Dubai as a hub for talent and innovation. The DBA programme has welcomed 349 Associates since its inception and completed 100 consulting projects, with applications for the next cohort exceeding 14,284 candidates from 148 countries.
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REMUNERATION

UAE updates wage protection system

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has clarified that recent updates to the UAE's Wage Protection System (WPS) aim to enhance wage monitoring without imposing new obligations on employers. Effective from June 1, salaries must be paid by the first day of each month. MoHRE stated that the system standardises wage payment monitoring and allows for early intervention in cases of delayed payments. Compliance is defined as transferring at least 85% of wages on time, ensuring worker rights are protected. The WPS processes over Dh37bn in wages monthly, supporting labour market stability.

ADIB revolutionises salary payments

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has launched a new mobile service that allows employers to pay employees' salaries directly through its banking apps. This service complies with the UAE's Wage Protection System (WPS) and was developed in collaboration with Al Etihad Payments and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Employers can now verify employee data, validate salary information, and report payment details seamlessly. ADIB's digital solution enhances compliance and transparency while eliminating the need for physical documents, providing direct access to MoHRE databases through secure platforms.
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PRODUCTIVITY

Professional services firms face productivity crisis

Research by Unit4 reveals that over 25% of client-facing staff in professional services firms spend significant time on manual administrative tasks instead of core client work. The report, commissioned by Pierre Audoin Consultants, found a quarter of professional services organisations have yet to automate more than 20% of their core systems. Such operational inefficiencies are causing frequent project delays for 30% of firms worldwide. Donna Dobson, director of professional services at Unit4, noted: "Professional services firms are facing possibly the biggest inflection point in a lifetime as technology disruption and volatile economic conditions encourage clients to re-evaluate their use of consulting expertise."

Meta's new controls ease data collection

Meta has revised its data collection strategy following employee backlash. New controls will enable staff to pause data collection for up to 30 minutes and request exemptions. Stephane Kasriel, a vice president at Meta's AI model-building Superintelligence Labs, noted that the team has made "several optimisations" to lessen the software's impact on battery life. The changes come amid a broader restructuring at Meta.

Unlocking AI potential for businesses

Yango Group has introduced an AI consulting service through its B2B division, Yango Tech, aimed at helping enterprises and government organisations in the UAE transition AI initiatives from pilot phases to full deployment. The service assists in identifying impactful AI use cases, assessing business impact, and creating implementation roadmaps. Alexander Merkushev, head of AI projects at Yango Tech, said: "Many companies already have AI strategies and pilot projects, but a large share of these initiatives never reach production deployment." The service also focuses on training to enhance AI literacy among management and specialists.
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HIRING

Innovo expands workforce, earns top employer title

Innovo Group has been recognised as a Top Employer 2026 for the second consecutive year, reflecting its commitment to workforce wellbeing and development. The company created over 1,000 jobs in the past year, expanding its workforce to more than 17,000 employees from 56 nationalities. Innovo's initiatives include a dedicated Emirati talent programme and wellness hubs at construction sites. Mariam Azmy, chief people officer, said: "The strength of any organisation is ultimately defined by its people." This recognition underscores Innovo's focus on creating a supportive work environment that enhances safety and productivity.
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SUPPORT

Unlocking business potential in Dubai

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, known as Dubai SME, has launched "SME in a Box", a virtual platform designed to streamline operations for small and medium-sized businesses in Dubai. This initiative integrates 18 entities across various sectors, enabling business owners to save up to Dh80,000 and 200 hours by accessing licensing and operational services from a single source. Chief executive Ahmad AlMheiri stated: "Anybody who will start licensing in Dubai is going to access those offers." The platform is open to all nationalities and businesses operating in both mainland and free zones.
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ECONOMY

Egypt's debt swap program gains traction

Egypt is expanding its debt swap program to enhance investment in education, healthcare, and skills development, according to Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk. Speaking at the "Egypt Forward: Investment Opportunities and Sustainable Economic Reform" conference, Kouchouk emphasised the importance of aligning debt management with national development priorities. He stated: "Debt swap agreements can deliver mutual benefits for both creditor and debtor countries." Egypt aims to create frameworks that transform debt obligations into sustainable development investments, thereby improving economic growth and social outcomes. The country is collaborating with international partners to refine these strategies.

Travel demand shifts amid crisis

International tourist arrivals increased by 2% during the first quarter, totalling 307m, despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict. The UN Tourism report noted a 14% drop in arrivals in the Middle East, while Egypt saw a 16% rise. The ongoing crisis is expected to lower growth forecasts by 1 to 2 percentage points. Shaikha Al Nuwais, UN Tourism Secretary-General, said: "The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is disrupting travel patterns well beyond the region itself." Experts predict a cautious outlook for tourism amid rising costs and shifting destination preferences.
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INTERNATIONAL

South African workers embrace AI revolution

South African employees are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with 79% of frontline white-collar workers using them regularly, according to Boston Consulting Group's (BCG) AI at Work report. The survey revealed that 66% of frontline employees and 75% of managers save at least a full working day each week due to AI. Job roles are evolving, with 72% of respondents noting changes in required skills. Concerns about job displacement are lower in South Africa, with only 20% worried about losing their jobs to AI, compared to 36% globally. Dawie Scholtz from BCG highlighted the need for further investment in skills and workflow redesign.

Bank of England faces backlash over remote work

The Bank of England is under scrutiny for allowing staff to work abroad for up to 40 days annually, amidst rising inflation pressures. Approximately 6,000 employees can also work from home three days a week. Critics, including Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake, argue that staff should focus on their responsibilities rather than working from "sun loungers." The Bank's policy aims to support flexible working, but concerns about data security and the effectiveness of its inflation management persist. A Bank spokesman stated that the policy includes necessary conditions and time limits.
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AND FINALLY...

From layoff to creative breakthrough

Aldrin "Odee" Yabut, a Filipino content creator, turned his layoff into an opportunity by documenting his journey online. After being let go from his job in Abu Dhabi, he began a vlog series titled "Lost a Job in Dubai", which gained significant attention. This led to a collaboration with Dubai Culture to produce a five-episode series highlighting local creatives. Yabut expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating: “Everything happened so unexpectedly.” Recently, he and his family were granted a Golden Visa, providing them with stability and peace of mind in Dubai.
 
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