THE HOT STORY

Saudi Arabia loosens alcohol restrictions

Saudi Arabia is set to open two new alcohol stores, including one for non-Muslim staff at Aramco, as part of ongoing reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These outlets, located in Dhahran and Jeddah, mark a significant shift in the Kingdom's approach to alcohol, which has been heavily restricted for decades. The Dhahran store will cater to non-Muslims working for Aramco, while the Jeddah store will serve non-Muslim diplomats. "We do understand that some of the international travellers want to enjoy alcohol when they visit the Saudi destinations but nothing has changed yet", said Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb. The new stores are expected to open in 2026, furthering the Kingdom's efforts to attract tourists and diversify its economy.

Reuters

STRATEGY

HP to cut up to 6,000 jobs by 2028

Computer and printer maker HP expects to cut between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs - up to 10% of its total globally - by fiscal 2028 as part of a plan to streamline operations and adopt artificial intelligence to speed up product development, improve customer satisfaction and boost productivity. “We really think this is a unique opportunity we cannot miss to really continue to transform the company and continue to be competitive for the next 10, 20 years,” chief executive Enrique Lores said. HP said it also expects to increase investment in some areas to integrate AI further into its product portfolio. “I think any work is going to be impacted by AI, and we need to take advantage of it as a company,” Lores observed.

Apple cuts jobs across sales team

Apple has cut dozens of jobs within its sales organisation as part of a restructuring effort aimed at streamlining how it sells to businesses, schools, and government agencies. Employees were informed over recent weeks, though Apple didn’t disclose the exact number of roles eliminated. The cuts affected account managers, briefing centre staff, and even longtime employees, including members of a government-focused team, and followed smaller layoffs in Australia and New Zealand. While Apple publicly framed the move as eliminating overlapping responsibilities, some workers believe the company is shifting more sales activity to third-party resellers to reduce internal costs.

Bloomberg

Reuters

WORKPLACE

Data-driven HR is the new frontier

Writing for Oman Observer, Mythili Kolluruhe takes a look at how the human resources sector is shifting from intuition-based practices to data-driven strategies. Companies including IBM and Unilever are using people analytics to enhance hiring and retention, predictive models identify employees at risk of leaving, and automated systems streamline recruitment. However, Kolluruhe says this reliance on data raises ethical concerns, such as algorithmic bias and invasive monitoring, which can erode employee trust, observing. The author writes: "At this crucial juncture, a vital question arises for leaders: Are companies inadvertently prioritising metrics over people in their pursuit of workforce optimisation?"

Oman Observer

ECONOMY

Qatar's economy shifts towards consumer sectors

Qatar's economic rebalancing is transforming its employment landscape, according to a report from property consultancy Knight Frank. A shift towards consumer-facing and productivity-enhancing sectors has precipitated a decline in construction's GDP share, from 13.4% in 2021 to 11.3% in 2024. Growth in accommodation, food services, and logistics is meanwhile evident, with jobs in tourism and digital services increasing. Knight Frank observed: "The underlying fundamentals supporting the real estate market . . . are becoming increasingly demand-driven." Qatar's positive economic outlook is supported by population growth and new residency schemes, fostering housing demand.

Gulf Times

WORKFORCE

China Construction secures NEOM workers' residences contract

China Construction Integrated Building Company (CSCEC) has secured a SAR2.8bn ($746m) contract from NEOM for 12,000 worker accommodation units. The deal is one of the largest single modular integrated construction (MiC) contracts ever signed in the Middle East. The Saudi modular market is expected to grow from $4.1bn in 2024 to $9.8bn by 2030, driven by government mandates and urgent workforce needs.

Zawya EN

INTERNATIONAL

Australia's ‘world first’ minimum pay deal for food delivery drivers

In a deal that has been described as a “world first”, Australia's two largest food delivery services, DoorDash and Uber Eats, are partnering with the Transport Workers’ Union to set new minimum standards for delivery drivers, including a minimum hourly wage and accident insurance for injuries sustained on the job. Under the terms of a draft agreement released on Tuesday, their workers would earn at least A$31.30 ($20.19) per hour, an increase of about 25% for some couriers who are paid per delivery and not for how long they have worked. The deal would put them level with the minimum wage earned by Australian casual workers.

Reuters

The Guardian

Red Cross to shed 2,900 jobs

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced a 17% budget cut for 2026 that will result in nearly 3,000 job losses, as dwindling donor funding forces the organisation to make drastic changes. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said: "The financial reality is forcing us to make difficult decisions to ensure we can continue to deliver critical humanitarian assistance." The cuts come amid escalating global conflicts and a significant international aid funding crisis. In light of its shrinking budget, ICRC said it would need to prioritise safeguarding its presence in the most critical conflict zones, including Sudan Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

France 24

Right to flexible working urged to resolve three-hour commutes

Ireland's parliament has heard that the government needs to legislate for a “real right to flexible and hybrid working” in a bid to beat traffic congestion that has led to three-hour commutes for some workers travelling into Dublin. Kildare South Labour lawmaker Mark Wall said: “the Government's own code of practice on flexible working and hybrid working is not working. The call back to the office and the workplace is a problem highlighted by many, many commuters who have contacted me over recent days.” He observed that motorists are “leaving their family homes at 6am just to barely make it into work for 9am . . . Productivity is down and the mental health of commuters is affected every day."

Irish Times Online

Bank of England warns on micro-aggressions

The Bank of England has warned that micro-aggressions in the workplace can lead to serious health issues for ethnic minorities, including heart disease and diabetes. A presentation obtained by The Telegraph highlights research linking racism and discrimination to chronic illnesses. The training materials encourage employees to report micro-aggressions, such as inappropriate comments about race. A Bank spokesman said: "This optional training . . . is one of several ways we look to support our staff." The initiative aims to foster an inclusive work environment and address reported disparities in treatment.

The Sunday Telegraph

OTHER

Labubu toys drive retail growth in Kabul

Labubu toys have become a surprising success in Kabul's marketplace, reflecting a shift in Afghanistan's retail landscape. Mostafa Seerat, a local shop owner, reported selling around 400 units daily since introducing the toy six months ago. Tamim Behzad, a businessman, recognised Labubu's potential and took a risk by bringing it to Afghanistan. The toy's popularity signifies a broader cultural change, with Afghans increasingly embracing global brands. Erfan, an online retailer, highlighted how Labubu has created job opportunities, especially for women, observing: "It's about giving women an opportunity to work and grow professionally".

China Daily

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