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Middle East Edition
25th April 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Saudi Arabia approves establishing Center for the Protection of Whistleblowers
Saudi Attorney General and Chairman of the Council of Public Prosecutions, Sheikh Saud Al-Muajab, has given his approval for the establishment of the Center for the Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts, and Victims. This centre aims to provide legal protection to individuals who may be at risk for providing information on crimes. The law ensures their protection from any threat, danger, or harm. The centre will take necessary measures to protect these individuals from physical injury and ensure their health, safety, and social adaptation. The law also grants criminal penalties for any behaviour that poses a threat to those under protection.
LEGAL
World sees near breakdown of international law amidst flagrant rule-breaking, Amnesty says
Amnesty International has warned of a near breakdown of international law due to flagrant rule-breaking, multiplying armed conflicts, and rising authoritarianism. The organisation's annual report highlights the disregard for international rules and values by powerful governments including the United States, Russia, and China. Agnes Callamard, Amnesty's secretary general, described the level of violation as "unprecedented." The report emphasizes the increasing backlash against women's rights and gender equality, as well as the potential threats posed by unregulated technological advancements. Amnesty International is calling for urgent action to protect human rights and uphold international law.
Saudi ministry achieves 77% reconciliation rate in labour disputes
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labour, Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain, has announced that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has achieved a 77% reconciliation rate in labour disputes through its Wudi Program. The ministry has implemented several programs to improve labour relations, including the Contract Documentation Program and the Wage Protection Program. Over seven million contracts have been concluded since the launch of the Contract Documentation Program, and the Wage Protection Program has achieved high levels of compliance from establishments in wage payment. The deputy minister highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to combating human trafficking crimes and protecting human rights. The ministry has implemented the National Plan to Combat Crimes of Trafficking in Persons, enacted legislation and policies to protect workers' contractual rights, and prevent irregular practices. The ministry, in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission and relevant authorities, said it continues to enhance the efficiency of the labour market and protect vulnerable groups from human trafficking practices.
Iran launches crackdown on unveiled women
Iran has launched a crackdown on women accused of flouting the Islamic dress code. The Noor campaign aims to enforce mandatory hijab-wearing and respond to demands from devout citizens. Under Iran's sharia law, women are required to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothes. Violators face public rebuke, fines, or arrest. Some critics suspect a political motive, suggesting that the campaign is meant to prevent anti-war protests and quell domestic dissent. The crackdown comes at a time when Iran is under external pressure and facing threats from Israel. Journalists, lawyers, activists, and students have also faced arrests and other measures. The primary charge against those arrested is "inciting public opinion."
HIRING
10,000 immediate job interviews for Emirati talents
Over 4,200 Emirati youth participated in the second edition of the Industrialists Career Exhibition, which provided 10,000 immediate interviews at more than 83 companies. The exhibition offered industry and advanced technology career opportunities, as well as immediate interviews, for local talent. The event announced 800 job opportunities, including 150 jobs for Emirati people of determination in private companies. The exhibition aligns with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and promotes the Make it in the Emirates initiative. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, stated that the exhibition enhances the competitiveness of the industrial sector and contributes to economic diversification and sustainable development. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, emphasized the positive impact of the exhibition on job fairs and the integration between partners. Adnoc Executive Director, Yaser Saeed Al Mazrouei, expressed pride in supporting the exhibition and creating high-skilled job opportunities for UAE Nationals.
WORKFORCE
Over 250 Bahraini workers honoured on International Workers' Day
More than 250 Bahraini workers in the private sector were honoured at a ceremony on International Workers' Day. The event was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, with Labour Minister and Labour Market Regulatory Authority chairman Jameel Humaidan attending on his behalf.
CORPORATE
Saudi Awwal Bank is named best private bank in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) has been named the "Best Private Bank in Saudi Arabia" by Euromoney during their Private Banking Awards 2024, for the second time in a row. Bandar Al-Gheshayan, chief wealth and personal banking officer at SAB, said: "Winning this prestigious award demonstrates the extent of our strategic vision in providing a distinguished banking experience for our clients and reaffirms our commitment to developing and providing innovative financial solutions that meet their aspirations and contribute to the growth of their wealth and the achievement of their financial goals." SAB is one of the largest banks in the Kingdom and offers integrated financial and banking services, including corporate banking, investment, private banking, and treasury.
ECONOMY
Shipping volumes through Red Sea plummet due to Middle East conflict
Shipping volumes through the Red Sea have plummeted due to the conflict in the Middle East, causing disruption to global trade flows. Ship traffic through the Suez Canal in Egypt, a major trade artery, has fallen by two-thirds over the past year. The war between Israel and Hamas, along with attacks on ships by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, has led shipping companies to divert vessels on longer and costlier routes. Crossings in the Bab-Al Mandab strait, another key waterway, have collapsed by 59% in the year to April.
INTERNATIONAL
Flexible work arrangements prompt companies in Singapore to rethink workplace policies
The recently announced guidelines on flexible work arrangements have prompted Singapore-based companies to rethink their workplace policies. Many local employers, including those with flexible work arrangements already in place, see the potential for increased productivity and employee satisfaction, but smaller firms appear less convinced. Larger firms are already well down the flexi-work path. Companies like Google and Dropbox have embraced flexible work cultures, allowing employees to work from anywhere. The new guidelines adopt a broad definition of flexible working arrangements that employers must fairly consider and be open to offering. While flexible work arrangements may boost productivity for large companies, smaller firms such as start-ups have noted the need to strike a balance between employee satisfaction and job responsibilities. Both small and larger companies in Singapore agree that flexible work arrangements may help cut costs while attracting and retaining talent.
North Korean animators may have helped create popular western cartoons despite sanctions
North Korean animators may have helped create popular television cartoons for big western firms, including Amazon and HBO Max, despite international sanctions on North Korea, a research report has found. The report discovered files on a North Korean internet server that included animations and instructions related to projects for foreign studios. The researchers observed that the files contained editing comments and instructions in Chinese, suggesting a go-between was responsible for relaying information between the production companies and the animators. The report could not determine the identity of the person or entity involved. The report also noted that North Korea's premier animation house, April 26 Animation Studio, has previously worked on international projects and is under sanctions. The researchers assessed with high confidence that the animation contracts had been outsourced to North Korea by a front company in China.
Meta spokesperson convicted in absentia of justifying terrorism in Russia
A court in Russia has convicted the spokesperson of US technology company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, of justifying terrorism. Andy Stone was sentenced to six years in prison in absentia. The charges stem from Stone's remarks in 2022 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, where he announced temporary changes to Meta's hate speech policy. Stone's statement allowed for forms of political expression that would normally violate the company's rules. The Russian authorities opened a criminal case against Stone, describing his statement as "illegal calls to violence and killings of Russian citizens." Stone was also barred from administering websites for four years. Meta declined to comment on the verdict. In April 2022, Russia barred Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from entering the country.
More foreign CEOs are leading French companies
For a little while now, a quiet revolution has been under way in France Inc., writes Albertina Torsoli for Bloomberg. Foreign-born CEOs are running some of the country's most-strategic companies, something that would have been unthinkable just a few decades ago. With some of them succeeding in the briefs they've been given, the trend may be here to stay. The moves have come on the watch of President Emmanuel Macron, a former investment banker who has pushed to re-industrialise France, seeking to attract more tech companies to rival the hubs of London, Frankfurt and Berlin, and also to woo diverse international talent. "The world has become a lot more flexible and very global, and CEO hires reflect this," observes Philippe Waechter, chief economist at Ostrum Asset Management. "The older generation didn't have such an open culture."
OTHER
Research finds link between surname order and grading quality
A new study has found that students who had surnames that came later in the alphabet received lower grades than those at the top of roll call. The research from the University of Michigan found also found that these students tend to receive ruder comments on their work and have lower grading quality, measured by post-grade complaints from students. Associate professor and first author Dr Jun Li said: “We spend a lot of time thinking about how to make the grading fair and accurate. But even for me it was really surprising. It didn't occur to us until we looked at the data and realised that sequence makes a difference.” Study co-author Helen Wang said: “Our conclusion is this may be something that happened unconsciously by the graders that's actually creating a real social impact.” The reason for the findings is unclear, but researchers suggest that teachers might get tired and irritable as they pass through the alphabet.
 


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