THE HOT STORY

Saudi Arabia's HR sector is booming

Saudi Arabia's human resources sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by Saudization and the regional headquarters programme. Companies like Al Mawarid Manpower Co. and International Human Resources Co. reported substantial profit increases in 2025, with Al Mawarid's net profit rising to SR138.46m, a 45.1% increase. The human resource management market is projected to reach $1.82bn by 2030, growing at 15.5% annually. Maurice Salem, senior principal at Arthur D. Little Middle East, noted that this growth reflects structural shifts, with demand driven by economic expansion and a focus on upskilling under Saudi Vision 2030. “The growth of Saudi Arabia's recruitment and placement sector is structural - not cyclical. Critically, Vision 2030 is not just creating jobs - it is raising skill thresholds, embedding a national upskilling agenda that continuously fuels demand for HR solutions,” said Salem.

Arab News

HIRING

Why recruiters are making interviews ‘AI-free zones’

Distrust precipitated by artificial intelligence is causing some companies to reassess their approach to hiring, introducing obstacles in application forms to prevent cheating, and increasing use of AI screening tools.

Financial Times

ECONOMY

OECD warns Middle East conflict to drive higher inflation and slow global growth

The OECD has warned that the Middle East conflict is reigniting inflation and weakening global growth, forecasting G20 inflation of 4% in 2026 and US inflation rising to 4.2%, up sharply from prior estimates. While global growth projections remain relatively stable at 2.9% for 2026, the organisation cautioned that higher energy prices and supply disruptions could further dampen activity and trigger financial market volatility. Central banks are expected to remain cautious, with the Federal Reserve and Bank of England likely to hold rates through 2026 and the European Central Bank considering a rate hike, as policymakers balance persistent inflation pressures against slowing economic momentum.

Los Angeles Times

New York Times

Dubai announces $277m economic incentives

Dubai has announced AED1bn ($277m) in economic incentives to be implemented from April 1, 2026. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, said the initiative aims to alleviate financial pressures on businesses and individuals. Key measures include deferring government fees and extending customs grace periods. The plan also streamlines residency permits to attract talent. Sheikh Hamdan noted that these measures reflect Dubai's commitment to supporting its people and businesses. The Executive Council has also approved the Virtual Warehouses Initiative and the Dubai Empowerment Strategy to enhance economic growth.

Trade Arabia

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Ras Al Khaimah's universities boost employability

Ras Al Khaimah's universities are enhancing workforce readiness by integrating practical skills and industry-led projects into their degree programmes. The initiative aligns with the UAE's education strategy and Ras Al Khaimah's Vision 2030, and aims to elevate academic standards and attract international institutions. Prof. Bassam Alameddine, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, said: "RAK's well-established sectors are creating long-term career opportunities." The emirate's growing academic ecosystem is drawing students from across the UAE and internationally, ensuring they graduate with relevant skills and globally recognised certifications.

Gulfnews.com

INTERNATIONAL

Amazon offers $1,000 prizes for delivery drivers

Bloomberg reports that Amazon is offering $1,000 prizes to delivery drivers who share what they love about their jobs. The "My Why" contest from the world’s largest e-commerce company is for drivers employed by delivery service partners, a network of small businesses that Amazon contracts with to manage workers who bring its packages to customers. Amazon said the competition is meant to "spotlight the drivers employed by our partners and celebrate the diverse motivations for doing this work and supporting their communities." Jerome Sloss, a New York City delivery driver and a Teamsters union activist who supports a New York bill that would require companies such as Amazon to directly employ last-mile delivery workers, said: “They’re not even acknowledging us as actual employees, but they’re offering us $1,000 to talk about why we like ‘delivering smiles.’”

Bloomberg

British employers to be required to report ethnicity and disability pay gaps

New draft legislation will require UK employers with more than 250 staff to report any pay disparities between disabled and able-bodied staff and white employees and those from an ethnic minority. The government’s response to the consultation on mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, published last week, shows widespread support for introducing this legislation. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents agreed large employers should report their ethnicity and disability pay gaps to increase transparency and help tackle barriers in the workplace. Seema Malhotra, Minister for Equalities, said: "By introducing ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, this government is committed to ensuring transparency and tackling unfairness where it exists, promoting inclusion in our workplaces and our economy."

Financial Times

GOV.UK

Revolut to shift 40% of its global workforce to India

London-headquartered fintech firm Revolut has said it plans to have around 40% of its global workforce based in India by the end of 2026 as it expands its India global capability centre. The company will fill 1,600 roles in its India centre through 2026, taking its headcount in the country to 5,500 by the end of the year. Jonathan Beaney, Revolut's head of talent acquisition, described India as one of the "deepest and most dynamic talent pools in the world." He said: "Our India tech hub is central to our global scale . . . the technical calibre, ambition and excellence we see here ‌make ⁠India a natural long-term home for Revolut."

Reuters

Tech in Asia

Unemployment continues to increase in Finland

Bloomberg reports that Finland has posted another set of "dire" employment market figures, with the European Union's worst joblessness reaching levels previously seen during the first wave of the pandemic. The headline unemployment rate increased to 10.9% in February, the most in almost six years, and the trend jobless rate rose to 10.5%, according to data from Statistics Finland. Youth unemployment was higher than for the overall population, with the trend rate for 15-24-year-olds at 22.9%. The increase in joblessness is partly explained by stricter job-search requirements and changes to social security, said economists at research institute Pellervo Economic Research.

Bloomberg

OTHER

OpenAI abandons erotic chatbot

OpenAI has shelved plans to release an erotic chatbot “indefinitely” amid concerns from employees and investors about the effect of sexualised AI content on society. “AI shouldn’t replace your friends or your family; you should have human connections,” commented one former senior employee, who said they left OpenAI in part due to the issue.

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