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Middle East Edition
28th February 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Dubai embraces flexible work for Ramadan
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has introduced a flexible working hours and remote work policy for government employees during Ramadan 1446 Hijri (2025). This initiative aligns with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Community.” Employees can enjoy up to three flexible working hours, completing 5.5 hours from Monday to Thursday and three hours on Friday. Additionally, they may work remotely for up to two days a week, depending on job requirements. The policy aims to enhance productivity while ensuring smooth operations, as employees must coordinate with their managers. This initiative reflects Dubai's commitment to creating an optimal work environment and encourages the private sector to adopt similar practices during Ramadan.
HIRING
Boosting jobs in Jordan
The National Employment Programme in Jordan has successfully supported over 46,000 employment contracts, with 50% allocated to women, according to Minister of Labour Khaled Bakkar, who highlighted the importance of the national employment platform "Sajil" in connecting job seekers with employers and urged updates to personal information on the platform. The ministry is also focusing on reducing reliance on foreign labour and promoting local employment through various initiatives, including the Remote Branches Initiative, which has created 2,556 new jobs in 2024. Bakkar said: "We are implementing projects under the Executive Programme of the Economic Modernisation Vision to increase Jordanian employment and ensure fair opportunities." The ministry is also prioritising entrepreneurship support through the Development and Employment Fund, which offers concessional loans to youth for business establishment.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Qatar Digital Academy partners with Huawei
Qatar Digital Academy has partnered with Huawei to enhance the digital skills of government employees. The agreement, signed by Duha Al Buhendi, Director of the Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and Alex Dai, EVP Huawei Gulf North, aims to provide training in cloud computing, IoT, and other digital technologies. Al Buhendi said: “This partnership initiative with Huawei marks a significant step for Qatar Digital Academy in empowering government employees with advanced digital expertise.” The initiative aligns with Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030 and aims to foster digital talent and inclusion. Huawei will offer access to its Talent Platform, allowing employees to enrol in various training programmes tailored to their needs.
Can businesses ever run a true meritocracy?
Corporate leaders are ditching diversity for performance-based promotion - but the pursuit of a meritocracy requires transparency and effort from employers, and can risk returning to old biases, the FT reports.
LEGAL
PCAOB sanctions PwC Israel member firm
The US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has imposed sanctions on Kesselman & Kesselman C.P.A.s, a member firm of PwC International (PwC Israel), for breaching quality control standards, particularly concerning integrity and personnel management, over a span of five years, from 2017 to 2022. Throughout the five-year period, a number of PwC Israel staff members engaged in sharing test questions and answers improperly. PwC Israel, without admitting or denying the PCAOB’s findings, has consented to pay a $2.75m (NIS9.81m) civil penalty.  
WORKFORCE
UAE residents prioritise savings from bonuses
A YouGov survey commissioned by Zurich International Life found that around 68% of UAE residents intend to save a portion of their bonuses for long-term financial planning, reflecting increased economic confidence. David Denton-Cardew, head of Propositions at Zurich International Life Middle East, noted, “As financial awareness continues to grow across all generations, it's clear that UAE residents are becoming more proactive in managing their money.” The survey revealed that 60% of respondents plan to spend their bonuses on travel, while 27% aim to invest in skill-building. Notably, 31% of Gen Z respondents plan to save their entire bonus, indicating a shift towards financial responsibility among younger generations. Additionally, 68% of residents feel confident about their financial situation, with 79% of those seeking professional advice feeling even more assured about their future.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Night shift workers' cancer risk
Night shift workers are at a heightened risk of cancer due to disrupted sleep cycles that damage DNA. A recent study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine suggests that melatonin supplementation could mitigate this risk. Dr. Parveen Bhatti, a scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute, said: “Melatonin supplementation may prove to be a viable intervention strategy to reduce the burden of cancer among night shift workers.” The study involved 40 night shift workers, half of whom took a 3 mg melatonin pill for four weeks, resulting in an 80% increase in a biochemical marker indicating improved DNA repair. Researchers emphasised the need for further long-term studies to assess the efficacy of melatonin in cancer prevention for night shift workers.
TECHNOLOGY
Riyadh Air takes flight with AI
Riyadh Air has entered a partnership with IBM to integrate watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions, aiming to establish itself as the world's first digital-native airline by 2025. Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air's Chief Financial Officer, stated, “Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travelers from the Kingdom and beyond.” This collaboration will enhance guest and employee experiences through AI-driven innovations, including autonomous bots and AI-powered virtual assistants. The airline's strategy aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which targets serving 330m passengers annually, positioning the Kingdom as a global aviation hub. By embedding AI across its operations, Riyadh Air aims to redefine air travel and set new industry standards.
Qatar's tech scene booming post-summit
The inaugural Web Summit in Qatar has attracted numerous international startups, significantly boosting the local tech ecosystem. Dr Mohamed Althaf, Director of LuLu Group, noted that “a significant number of international startups visited Qatar to explore the opportunities presented by the country's burgeoning tech innovation landscape.” The event has facilitated valuable interactions, paving the way for future collaborations. Althaf highlighted the pre-summit engagement, particularly from e-commerce and digital marketing sectors, indicating a growing interest in Qatar's vibrant entrepreneurial environment. With around 800 startups from India considering participation, Qatar's strategic location and favourable business climate position it as an ideal hub for tech expansion.
INTERNATIONAL
US Supreme Court hears arguments in 'straight discrimination' case
US Supreme Court justices indicated during a hearing on Wednesday that they would side with a woman who alleged she was discriminated against at her job because she is heterosexual. Marlean Ames worked for the Ohio Department of Youth Services for more than 20 years. She claims she was passed over for a promotion, then demoted, because she is straight. The job she hoped to get and the one she held when demoted, were both given to gay colleagues, according to the lawsuit. Ohio state officials deny discrimination, and Ames has so far been unsuccessful in court. In oral arguments in front of the Supreme Court - split 6-3 in favour of conservative judges - justices on both sides ideologically appeared sympathetic to Ames' case.
A billion Indians have no spending money, report says
India is home to 1.4bn people but around a billion lack money to spend on any discretionary goods or services, according to a report from venture capital firm Blume Ventures. Meanwhile, 300m are "emerging" or "aspirant" consumers but they are reluctant spenders. Click-of-a-button digital payments are however making it easier for them to transact. The report says India's consuming class is not "widening" as much as it is "deepening": India's wealthy population is not really growing in numbers, and those who are already rich are getting even wealthier.
South Korea's birthrate rises for first time in nine years
South Korea's fertility rate has increased for the first time in nine years, rising from 0.72 in 2023 to 0.75 last year, according to Statistics Korea. In 2023, the birthrate fell for the eighth consecutive year to be the lowest in the world, from 1.24 in 2015. Since 2018, South Korea has been the only member of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) with a rate below 1. Marriages, a leading indicator of new births, increased 14.9% in 2024, the biggest rise since the data started being published in 1970.
 


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