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Middle East Edition
12th January 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Oman launches job creation plan

The Ministry of Labour in Oman has developed a national employment and skills development plan aimed at creating 60,000 job opportunities by 2026. The initiative involves collaboration between the government, state-owned companies, and the private sector. The plan focuses on aligning job opportunities with high-value sectors and enhancing workforce competitiveness. Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, said:  "This national employment plan is not limited to providing numbers and job opportunities only. Rather, it is based on building quality and sustainable jobs linked to training and qualification, and aligned with the requirements of the current and future labour market. This enhances the competitiveness of the national workforce and prepares it for the opportunities arising from economic and technological transformations." The strategy includes 10,000 jobs in the government sector, 17,000 in support pathways, and 33,000 in the private sector.
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TECHNOLOGY

AI-powered HRMS can power a future‑ready workforce

Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) can streamline essential operations including onboarding, payroll, and documentation into a secure platform. Despite advances in the Gulf, many organisations still rely on outdated manual processes, hindering progress. Sayeed Anjum, Co-founder & CTO of greytHR, notes that AI-driven HRMS can alleviate administrative burdens, allowing HR teams to focus on strategic roles. With 75% of organisations still early in digital transformation, the challenge lies in effectively adopting AI. Embracing these technologies can redefine HR in the GCC, fostering growth and innovation.

AI will free households from chores and boost hidden productivity, says OpenAI

Aaron Chatterji, OpenAI’s chief economist, tells the Financial Times that AI will save time on household chores that “mostly fall on women” and allow more space for work or play.
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WORKFORCE

BNW Developments rewards its top sales stars

BNW Developments has launched a groundbreaking Homeownership Reward Programme, recognising top sales performers with branded apartments at RAK Central. Founder Ankur Aggarwal emphasised that this initiative reflects a people-first leadership approach, prioritising employee wellbeing and long-term loyalty. Recipients Akshay Gupta, Ayush Pandey, and Karan Kohli were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions. Aggarwal said: “Gifting homes to our top performers is our way of saying that their stability, their families, and their futures matter to us.” The programme is said to have set a new standard for employee recognition in the UAE's real estate sector.
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TAX

UAE announces initiative to help ease tax procedures for senior citizens

The UAE's Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has launched the Labaih Initiative to assist senior citizens with tax-related applications and compliance. The initiative aims to streamline processes, ensuring privacy and efficiency. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the FTA, said: "The Labaih Initiative enhances service delivery for seniors, reflecting our appreciation for their contributions." Key features include priority access through the Call Centre, a Fast-Track service, and electronic document access. The initiative also offers tailored workshops to improve tax awareness among seniors, ensuring they can navigate tax legislation confidently.
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ECONOMY

Dar Global unveils $10bn Trump projects

Saudi ​real estate developer Dar Global will launch two Trump-branded luxury projects in Riyadh and Jeddah valued at $10bn. The developments include the Trump National Golf Course and Trump International Hotel in Riyadh's Diriyah, along with Trump Plaza in Jeddah, featuring mixed-use offices and residential spaces. The projects align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which is aimed at diversifying the local economy and attracting foreign investment. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, noted that the projects are expected to be completed within four to five years.
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INTERNATIONAL

McDonald's faces harassment allegations from unions in UK

Five trade unions have reported McDonald's to the UK's National Contact Point (NCP) - an independent unit which sits with the Department for Business and Trade - for failing to address sexual harassment against young staff in its UK restaurants. The unions allege that junior workers, primarily teenagers, have faced persistent harassment since at least 2019. The complaint said there had been "evidence of persistent, deeply rooted gender-based discrimination" in McDonald's restaurants, in breach of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The NCP has determined that the complaint merits further investigation and will offer mediation. McDonald's has said it cannot be held accountable for incidents in its franchised locations, which comprise most of its 1,450 UK branches.

Japanese companies play Cupid to prevent burnout

Japanese companies are introducing corporate-only dating apps to help retain workers at risk of burnout amid labour shortages. These apps allow employees to connect with supportive partners from other vetted firms. “Single employees don't say anything, but they are under strain,” said Yuichiro Kayano, general manager of the career design promotion department at credit card company Orico. One such app, Aill goen, has been adopted by over 1,500 companies including Toyota. Participation is limited to employers that meet criteria such as having established childcare leave systems and policies to promote women's participation in the workplace. These companies aim to match workers with partners from similarly supportive working environments.

Gig workers in India fight for fair treatment and benefits

Millions of informal workers in India rely on app-based platforms, facing precarious conditions in the gig economy. Raju Kumar, a delivery worker for Zomato, highlighted the lack of job security, observing: "All it requires is one customer complaint . . . and I am out without notice." Workers like Santosh Pawar and Priya Sharma echoed such sentiments, expressing frustration over arbitrary account suspensions and inadequate support during injuries. Labour groups are advocating for minimum income and better protections, while the Indian government has introduced new labour laws to improve conditions for gig workers.

Singapore's AI bootcamp aims to retrain 35,000 bankers

The banking sector in Singapore is rapidly adopting AI technology. Singapore's Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said major banks including DBS, OCBC, and UOB aim to retrain 35,000 staff over the next one to two years. “The government is doing something about it because they realise that this capability and this change is actually infusing potentially a lot of fear,” said Violet Chung, a senior partner at McKinsey & Co. “Given what we've seen in other markets like the US where we're seeing much more aggressive job cuts and reductions, the government is essentially aware that we need to do something as a country to do something for these leading companies.”
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OTHER

UN says the US has ‘legal obligation’ to fund agencies

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United States has a “legal obligation” to keep paying its dues that fund UN agencies after the Trump administration said it will withdraw from dozens of international organisations operated by the world body, including the UN's population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations. “As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for Guterres, said in a statement.
 
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