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Middle East Edition
26th June 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Dubai announces flexible summer working hours for government employees

Dubai's Human Resources Department has introduced 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative for 2026, allowing government employees to choose between two working models. From 29 June to 10 September, employees can work seven hours daily from Monday to Thursday and four and a half hours on Friday, or eight hours from Monday to Thursday with Friday off. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, said: "Employee wellbeing and quality of life do not come at the expense of performance." 
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LEGAL

National dialogue to shape UAE's Gender Balance Strategy

The UAE Gender Balance Council has held a national dialogue with over 100 representatives from government and private sectors to develop the Gender Balance Strategy 2027–2031. Discussions focused on national priorities, including education, health, and workplace culture. H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasised that gender balance is vital for sustainable development. Mona Ghanem Al Marri noted the importance of embedding gender balance in institutional practices to enhance competitiveness and societal cohesion.
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TECHNOLOGY

Dubai leads strategic dialogue on the future of work in the agentic age

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) recently concluded the first edition of DGHR Multaqa 2026, focusing on the role of Agentic AI in transforming the workplace. The forum gathered government leaders and experts to discuss the implications of AI on jobs, skills, and organisational performance. H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, emphasised the need for governance frameworks to ensure accountability and human responsibility in AI use. A key outcome was the presentation of DGHR's White Paper on Agentic AI Governance, outlining opportunities and challenges in HR systems.

Meta races to replace human moderation with AI

Meta is racing to replace human moderation with generative artificial intelligence, as it undergoes a broader cost-cutting drive to offset CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vast spending on AI, the FT reports.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

KFH–Bahrain trains more than 170 employees on AI

Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain (KFH-Bahrain) has successfully trained over 170 employees in AI tools through its “AI Readiness” programme, in collaboration with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF). The training, conducted in six groups over three days, focused on practical AI applications in banking. Dana Bukhammas, Group Head of Human Resources, said: “The programme was designed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications.”
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SUSTAINABILITY

Oman timeline for sustainability disclosure standards

Oman's non-banking financial sector is set to implement mandatory sustainability-related financial disclosures with the Financial Services Authority (FSA), confirming that IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 standards will take effect from January 1, 2029. The FSA has hosted a panel discussion to prepare market participants for these international standards. The phased implementation policy is available for public feedback, outlining stages and regulatory requirements. The FSA noted that this move aims to enhance transparency and attract investment, while supporting Oman's transition to net zero by 2050 and aligning with Oman Vision 2040.
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RISK

Hormuz fees branded ‘unacceptable’ by Trump

President Donald Trump has said he would reject a final Iran deal if it included any service or shipping fees in the Strait of Hormuz. “It would be unacceptable to me, because we have numerous strengths, and if you did that for them, you’d have to do it for other people,” the president told reporters. “It would be a game changer.” Bloomberg notes that Trump's comments represent his most definitive statement yet about possible maritime service fees and shipping tolls that could be imposed in the strait.
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INTERNATIONAL

Mining giant hit with class action

Women at Fortescue Mining have launched a class action in Melbourne, alleging systemic sexual harassment and gender discrimination at the company's Australian remote worksites. The action, filed by law firm JGA Saddler, follows previous claims against other mining firms. “We were speaking to thousands of women in mining in the Rio Tinto and BHP sex discrimination class actions and Fortescue's worksites kept coming up time and time again as places that were unsafe for women,” JGA Saddler lawyer Paris Hamrey said. “There have been reports of sexual assault, violence and retaliation especially when female staff reject sexual advances. We have heard from women who have lodged complaints about unacceptable behaviour but are then dismissed, demoted, silenced or black-listed from the industry . . . One of the most disturbing regular reports is women on Fortescue worksites being warned against washing their underwear in on-site laundries because theft of female underwear is rife.”

Workers should get cooling breaks, unions tell EU

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has said European workers should be allowed "cooling breaks" - just like World Cup footballers - on sweltering summer days. "The cooling breaks being used at the World Cup have put the spotlight on the danger posed to workers by extreme heat and the kind of measures that can be taken to keep people safe," ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said. "Builders, fruit pickers or bus drivers need a lot longer than three minutes to recover, but [the World Cup] is a good example of how work can be adapted to the changing climate." The lobby group wants the European Commission to grant workers a "right to breaks without loss of pay" when temperatures are high.

AI-shy tech workers face triple the layoff risk

Research from Gallup has found that US tech workers who use AI at least monthly have a significantly lower risk of being laid off, with a predicted probability of 6% compared to 18% for infrequent users. The study surveyed over 23,000 workers and found that AI adoption is becoming crucial for job security. The link between AI use and job security held even after accounting for factors including age and education, according to the researchers. Outside the tech sector, infrequent AI users also face a greater layoff risk than their peers, Gallup said, though the gap is smaller.

Hyundai Motor's South Korean union approves strike action

Hyundai Motor workers in South Korea have voted to strike over stalled wage negotiations and a plan by the country’s largest carmaker to introduce humanoid robots on the factory floor. The union is seeking a 149,600 won ($96.82) ​increase in base monthly pay ​and a performance bonus equal to 30% ‌of ⁠last year's net profit, and also guarantees on employment and working conditions related to the ​use of AI and automation.
 
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