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Middle East Edition
21st October 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Migrant workers in Lebanon face crisis
In Lebanon, over 177,000 migrant workers, primarily from Africa and Asia, are facing dire circumstances amid escalating violence. Cici Brinces, a domestic worker, expressed her despair, stating: "I feel that the end is near for me — worse than when I had cancer." The ongoing conflict has displaced 1.2m Lebanese workers and left many foreign employees homeless, with shelters overflowing. Activists like Safina Virani highlight the plight of abandoned workers, many of whom have lost their passports and financial support. The International Organisation for Migration reports that many migrants are struggling to return home, with governments like the Philippines and Kenya attempting to facilitate repatriation. However, challenges persist, including discrimination and bureaucratic delays. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the need for urgent support for these vulnerable communities becomes increasingly critical.
WORKFORCE
Saudi Arabia's new housing game-changer
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched the Smart Accommodation for Residential Complexes Co. (SARCC) to meet the rising demand for housing for staff involved in major construction projects. Khalid Johar, co-head of the Local Real Estate Portfolio Department at PIF, stated: “The staff accommodation market presents a significant opportunity due to increasing local demand.” The initiative aims to develop and manage housing complexes that adhere to international standards, supporting the Kingdom's extensive infrastructure expansion. PIF's broader strategy includes substantial investments across various sectors, with a goal of expanding its assets to $2trn by 2030 and creating 1.8m jobs by 2025. SARCC will play a crucial role in attracting talent and partners to Saudi Arabia's development initiatives.
Saudi programme verifies over 209,500 workers
The Saudi Professional Accreditation Program, initiated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has successfully accredited over 209,500 workers across more than 1,000 occupations globally. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of the labour market by ensuring that expatriate workers possess the necessary skills and qualifications. The programme features "Professional Verification" and "Professional Inspection" services, with the former verifying skills and certifications through an automated platform, processing applications within 15 working days. The latter assesses medium and low-skilled workers through practical tests. The programme currently operates in five countries, including Pakistan and India, and is set to expand further. It aims to raise awareness among employers about the importance of hiring qualified expatriate workers, thereby improving job performance quality and creating a more competent labour market.
New grievance system for Omani employees
The Oman Ministry of Labour has implemented a new complaints and grievances system through Ministerial Decision No. 617/2024, requiring employers with 50 or more workers to establish a formal process for addressing employee concerns. The initiative allows employees to submit grievances to their direct manager, who must respond within two working days. If unresolved, the issue can be escalated to the employer or their representative, who has five working days to respond. Should the grievance remain unaddressed, employees can approach the Ministry of Labour's administrative division. The Ministry emphasises that "employers are required to provide employees with an approved copy of the new complaints and grievances system," promoting transparency and accountability in the workplace.
Saudi Arabia unveils new regulations for home delivery services
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has implemented new regulations for home delivery services, mandating that workers wear clean uniforms to enhance safety and professionalism. The rules require businesses to hold valid municipal licenses and obtain home delivery permits, which must be renewed accordingly. Vehicles used for deliveries must meet specific licensing requirements and be regularly cleaned. Additionally, food safety guidelines dictate that hot and cold items be separated, and packaging must be high quality and non-absorbent. Workers are also required to wear face masks and gloves, maintain hygiene, and avoid eating or drinking during deliveries. The ministry encourages training on food safety to ensure compliance with health standards, aiming to improve service quality across the kingdom.
OUTLOOK
Qatar's future: A legal partnership
Oxford Business Group (OBG) has partnered with Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm through a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on The Report: Qatar 2025. The initiative aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Qatar's evolving business environment as the nation strives to achieve its National Vision 2030. Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm will serve as the official legal research partner, contributing insights into the legal and regulatory landscape. Fernanda Braz, OBG's country director for Qatar, stated: “This collaboration enhances our ability to offer comprehensive insights into Qatar's legal and regulatory framework.” Essa Al Sulaiti, managing partner of Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its importance in supporting Qatar's business landscape. The report will include extensive field research and interviews with key stakeholders, making it a vital resource for understanding Qatar's economic opportunities and challenges.
ECONOMY
Canada and Qatar: A growing partnership
The Canadian-Qatari Business Forum (CQBF) highlights Canada's increasing interest in Qatar, suggesting that this could foster beneficial collaborations and economic growth. Yasser Dhouib, the executive director of CQBF, noted: “As Canadian interest in Qatar increases, a unique opportunity emerges to leverage Qatar's knowledge-based economy.” He emphasised the potential for Qatari investments to enhance Canadian industries, particularly in energy and infrastructure. Dhouib also pointed out that Qatari investments have spurred economic growth and job creation in Canada. He urged for a stable environment to protect investments as Canada strengthens ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council. Furthermore, both nations have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote social and economic advancement in developing countries, with each committing $40m to education initiatives.
HIRING
AI tool sparks debate on interview ethics
The Times’ Mark Sellman reports on an artificial intelligence (AI) tool called the Final Round Interview Copilot, designed to assist job candidates during online interviews. Michael Guan, chief executive of Final Round, describes the tool as "a magical teleprompter" that helps candidates present themselves confidently. However, Hayfa Mohdzaini from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) argues that using such technology in real-time interviews is unethical, likening it to "cheating during an exam." A recent CIPD survey revealed that 23% of organisations are working to limit the use of generative AI by jobseekers, with major firms like PwC and KPMG already banning AI use in applications. But Guan said: “We don’t really care about employers. We care about the employees. We care about how to help our candidates to get ready for their next job interviews.” He added: “We’re just filling the gap between now and the Neuralink time when people have chips in their brains.”
TECHNOLOGY
AI impacts tasks, not job titles, LinkedIn CEO says
In a recent interview, Ryan Roslansky, chief executive of LinkedIn, emphasised the importance of adapting to an evolving job market influenced by artificial intelligence (AI). He advised professionals to view their roles as a collection of tasks rather than fixed titles, saying: “Professionals can have more agency amidst this transition by thinking of their job not as a title, but as a set of tasks.”  He highlighted that the skills required for jobs have changed by nearly 40% since 2016 and are expected to rise to over 70% by 2030.
CYBERSECURITY
Company accidentally hired North Korean cyber criminal
Sky News reports on a company that unwittingly hired a North Korean hacker posing as an IT contractor, who quickly accessed sensitive data and exfiltrated it leading to a ransom demand. Rafe Pilling, director of threat intelligence at Secureworks, which investigated the incident, said the tactic was a new one for the North Korean regime, which was already trying to sneak its workers into UK companies and marked "a serious escalation" of risk for companies. "No longer are [the fake workers] just after a steady pay cheque, they are looking for higher sums, more quickly, through data theft and extortion, from inside the company defences," he said.
 


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