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Middle East Edition
7th May 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

GCC workforce expands by 9.4m

The total workforce across GCC member states grew by approximately 9.4m individuals between 2021 and 2025, according to data from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Statistical Centre. Total employment figures increased 34.1%, from 27.7m in 2021 to 37.1m in 2025. The expansion was driven by the expatriate workforce, which experienced an average annual growth rate of 9.1% during the period; 4.4% annual growth was recorded for national citizens. Male expatriate workers accounted for 66.5% of the total workforce in 2025.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

UAE launches 'Digital Talents in Sharjah' initiative

The UAE has launched the "Digital Talents in Sharjah" initiative to develop an AI-ready workforce. The two-year programme, in partnership with the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, aims to equip students with essential digital and AI skills. Saqr Binghalib, executive director of the UAE Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, said: "This initiative reflects the UAE's commitment to strengthening its global leadership in artificial intelligence." The programme includes training workshops from Google and aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs.
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WORKFORCE

Call to extend annual mid-day work ban in Bahrain

The Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) is advocating for extending Bahrain's midday work ban to three months, from June 15 to September 15, to safeguard workers from heat-related illnesses. Currently, the ban lasts two and a half months, ending on August 31. MWPS chairperson Mona Almoayyed said: "It makes sense to have the ban run for the extra two weeks since the period from June to September is the hottest time in Bahrain." The ban prohibits outdoor work from noon to 4pm, with certain exemptions for essential services. Compliance has been high, with a 99.97% adherence rate reported in 2025.
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ECONOMY

Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit widens in first quarter to highest level since 2018

Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit widened in the first quarter to the highest level for eights years as investments on projects to diversify the economy continued to grow. Gross domestic product expanded 2.8% year-on-year in the first quarter, the slowest pace since mid-2024.
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SUSTAINABILITY

More than 50 countries to work on trade measures to cut fossil fuels

The First Conference on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels has concluded with more than 50 countries agreeing to work on trade measures aimed at cutting demand for fossil fuels. World leaders gathered in Colombia's Santa Marta last week for the first-ever global talks to accelerate the shift, a step participating nations said was not just a climate priority but vital for energy independence. The conference was announced last year after the failure of the official UN COP30 climate summit in Brazil to include an explicit reference to fossil fuels in its final deal. “The conclusion is unavoidable, we must transition away from fossil fuels - not just because it’s good for climate, but because it strengthens our energy independence and security,” said Stientje van Veldhoven, minister for climate policy and green growth for the Netherlands, which co-hosted the conference with Colombia.

Saudi Environment Week showcases sustainability progress

This week's Saudi Environment Week 2026 is showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainability. The event promotes responsible practices including reducing consumption and supporting tree-planting initiatives. Key achievements include the rehabilitation of 1m hectares of land and the planting of over 159m trees. The National Center for Wildlife has released over 10,000 animals into their habitats and expanded protected areas to 18.1% of the country. Professor Fernando Maestre from King Abdullah University emphasised the importance of research in dryland ecology for effective restoration and sustainable land management.
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INTERNATIONAL

New York Times sued for allegedly discriminating against white man

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times, alleging that a white male employee was overlooked for a promotion in favour of a less qualified woman to fulfill diversity goals. The agency said the decision to exclude the male applicant was influenced by the organisation's commitment to increasing representation of women and people of colour in leadership roles. “No one is above the law - including ‘elite' institutions. There is no such thing as ‘reverse discrimination,'" Lucas said. "No matter the size or power of the employer, the EEOC under my leadership will not pull punches in ensuring evenhanded, colorblind enforcement of Title VII to protect America's workers, including white males.” The New York Times has denied the allegations, claiming that the most qualified candidate was chosen and that race and gender did not influence the decision.

Australian banks warned about larger, faster cyber attacks

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), Australia's financial system regulator, has said the country's banks are struggling to match the rapid rate of ​change in AI, warning that frontier AI systems such as Anthropic's Mythos had the potential to precipitate larger and faster cyber attacks. "APRA has heard clear recognition from regulated entities of the need for a step change in ​cyber practices and a continuing uplift in capabilities to protect IT assets in an evolving threat environment," the regulator said, adding: "APRA observed many boards are still developing the technical literacy required to provide effective challenge on ​AI-related risks and oversight."

Portugal tightens citizenship rules

A new Portuguese law will double the amount of time needed for foreigners to obtain citizenship. The period required for most foreigners to obtain citizenship will be extended from five to up to 10 years. Individuals from Brazil, Angola and other Lusophone nations will have to wait seven years to obtain citizenship instead of five. Bloomberg notes a massive inflow of immigrants following the pandemic that has strained Portugal’s housing, health care and public services.

HSBC reviews $48,000-per-child school fee perk for Hong Kong bankers

HSBC is evaluating its school fee subsidy for bankers in Hong Kong as part of a global benefits standardisation effort. The bank may eliminate the perk for new hires or adjust overall compensation. Currently, mid-level and senior staff in Hong Kong receive a subsidy covering 95% of school fees up to HK$220,000 for each child in primary school and HK$300,000 ($48,000) per child in secondary school annually, costing the bank tens of millions each year. The benefit has caused tension with the bank's head office in London, because it is not available in other major markets.
 
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