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Middle East Edition
23rd April 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Climate change is affecting workers' mental health
Climate change is driving a crisis in workers' mental health, according to a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The report highlights that extreme weather, climate change-induced disasters, and exposure to excessive heat are contributing to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among workers. The ILO said that workers may experience distress related to financial and workload problems, as well as loss of hope for the future of their community. The report also notes that climate change risks are worsening the financial situations of some workers, particularly farmers and fishermen, while also flagging that climate change will impact seasonal and transient farm workers, leading to increased stress.
STRATEGY
Dubai government partners with OECD for webinars on economic growth
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has signed a partnership agreement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to host a series of webinars on strategies and opportunities for economic growth and global trade. The webinars covered topics such as future skills, job quality, capability-building practices, gender balance, and artificial intelligence. The collaboration aims to implement international best practices to empower human resources, improve government performance, and enhance productivity in Dubai.
LEGAL
15,000 arrested in Saudi crackdown on residency and border violations
Saudi authorities have arrested almost 15,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work, and border security regulations. The arrests were made for violations of residency laws, illegal border crossing attempts, and labour-related issues. Among those arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 64% were Ethiopian, 33% were Yemeni, and 3% were of other nationalities. The Saudi Ministry of Interior warned that anyone facilitating illegal entry could face imprisonment, a fine, and confiscation of vehicles and property. 
Bahrain denies runaway domestic workers issue
Around 2,000 domestic workers have illegally left work in Bahrain since 2019, according to Nibras Talib, the CEO of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). However, Talib denied that Bahrain is plagued with a plethora of runaway domestic workers. He made this statement during a weekly Shura Council session.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Teachers at reduced risk of cognitive decline
People with mentally stimulating jobs, such as teachers, are less likely to experience cognitive decline in later life, according to a study from Norway. The research found that jobs involving creative thinking were better at preventing cognitive decline than those involving repetitive tasks. The study examined 7,000 people and 305 occupations, measuring the level of cognitive stimulation in each job. After adjusting for other factors, the study found that those in the lowest group of mentally stimulating jobs had a 66% higher chance of mild cognitive impairment. The researchers suggest that education and challenging work throughout one's career play a crucial role in lowering the risk of cognitive decline.
TECHNOLOGY
Qatar Central Bank issues regulations on cloud computing
Qatar Central Bank has issued regulations on cloud computing in line with its Financial Sector Strategy and Fintech Strategy. The bank aims to regulate and develop the financial sector and stimulate innovation in Fintech. The regulations enforce compliance with information security and data protection requirements for cloud adoption. They address the governance of cloud usage, the cloud computing lifecycle, and operational security controls. The regulations aim to establish a regulatory framework for financial institutions and Fintech companies to develop smart solutions. Cloud computing contributes to the development of financial services and aligns with Qatar's Third National Development Strategy and National Vision 2030. The regulations can be viewed on Qatar Central Bank's official website.
TAX
UAE launches digital public consultation on R&D tax incentive
The UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) has launched a digital public consultation to gather stakeholder views on the potential implementation of a Research & Development (R&D) Tax Incentive under the UAE Corporate Tax law. The consultation aims to understand the scope of potential R&D activities undertaken by businesses in the UAE, what activities an R&D Tax Incentive may cover, and the potential implementation and administration of such an incentive. The Ministry believes in the importance of consulting with all stakeholders, including businesses, advisors, service providers, institutions, and investors. To familiarise stakeholders with the concept of R&D, a Guidance Paper is provided as part of the consultation. The Ministry says it welcomes clear and concise comments with supporting examples, data, or other information. The responses must be received by May 14, 2024, and will remain confidential.
INTERNATIONAL
Health-harming heat stress rising in Europe, scientists say
Europe is experiencing increasingly intense heatwaves due to climate change, according to a report by the EU's Copernicus climate monitoring service and the World Meteorological Organization. Last year, southern Europe faced extreme heat stress, with 41% of the region affected. Scientists say this poses significant health risks to outdoor workers, the elderly, and those with existing conditions. Heat-related deaths in Europe have increased by around 30% in the last 20 years. The report highlights the need for governments to prepare healthcare systems for climate change and protect workers from extreme heat. Greenhouse gas emissions and the El Nino weather pattern were identified as major contributors to last year's exceptional heat. The heat also fueled extreme weather events such as flooding.
UK's TUC calls for AI to be regulated in the workplace
The UK's Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned that Britain is failing to keep up with the regulation of AI in the workplace, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination. It has proposed a legal blueprint for regulating AI, including a legal duty for employers to consult trade unions on the use of high-risk and intrusive forms of the technology. Other countries such as the US, China, and Canada are already implementing new laws for the use of AI. TUC assistant general secretary Kate Bell said: “UK employment law is simply failing to keep pace with the rapid speed of technological change. We are losing the race to regulate AI in the workplace. AI is already making life-changing calls in the workplace, including how people are hired, performance managed and fired. We urgently need to put new guardrails in place to protect workers from exploitation and discrimination. This should be a national priority. Other countries are regulating workplace AI – so that staff and employers know where they stand. The UK can't afford to drag its feet and become an international outlier.”
Japanese companies agree to largest pay raise in 33 years
Japanese companies have agreed to raise pay by 5.20% on average this year, the biggest increase in 33 years, according to Rengo, the country's largest union group. The outcome of these pay talks is seen as a barometer for spending and inflation. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have both emphasized the importance of sustained wage growth and inflation for the country's monetary policy and to combat deflation. The first round of talks resulted in a 5.28% pay raise, the highest in 33 years, with subsequent rounds seeing slightly lower increases. A separate survey found that 77% of companies raised wages this year, although two-thirds of them fell short of the 5% demanded by Rengo.
OTHER
Innovation by Design Summit to be held in Doha
Msheireb Properties and Fast Company Middle East are hosting the Innovation by Design Summit in Doha. The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists, including prominent Qatari innovators and entrepreneurs. The summit will explore various aspects of design and its impact on society, covering topics such as sustainable materials, AI in content creation, and immersive museum experiences. Notable Qatari speakers include Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Dana Alfardan, and Fahad Al Turky. The summit aims to inspire and empower the next generation of designers and innovators. The event will culminate with the launch of the Msheireb Award for Innovation in Design, celebrating exemplary design-driven solutions across four categories.
 


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