THE HOT STORY

Saudi Arabia tops regional remote work rankings

Saudi Arabia ranks 44th globally in remote work, and leads the Arab world due to advancements in cybersecurity and strong economic infrastructure. By the second quarter of 2025, 190,000 employees worked remotely, with women making up 85% of this workforce. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 has further propelled remote work through regulations and initiatives by the Ministry of Human Resources. However, a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that remote work can reduce productivity by 18%. Despite challenges, remote work remains a stated priority for Saudi leadership, with initiatives supporting digital nomads and local talent.

Arab News

GUIDE

Navigate the AI HR Vendor Landscape

AI is rapidly reshaping how HR teams operate, from recruitment and workforce planning to employee engagement and analytics. But with a crowded and fast-moving market, knowing which solutions matter is increasingly difficult.

This free guide provides a clear overview of the most notable AI-powered HR solutions available in 2024. It breaks down the current vendor landscape to help HR professionals and business leaders understand where AI is adding real value, and where to focus their attention.

Designed for teams exploring AI adoption or reviewing existing tools, the guide supports more informed decision-making, smarter investment, and better employee experiences in an evolving HR environment.

If you need a practical, market-level view of AI in HR, this guide offers a useful starting point.

Download the guide

LEGAL

UAE residents warned against fake domestic worker ads online

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a warning to residents about the dangers of engaging with unlicensed domestic worker recruitment services. Misleading advertisements on social media can expose individuals to legal and financial risks, as well as jeopardise the safety of families. MoHRE highlighted the potential for hiring untrained workers and the absence of legal protections. Residents are advised to only use licensed recruitment offices, which can be verified through the ministry's official website, to ensure a safe and lawful recruitment process. "Engaging with unauthorised entities exposes individuals to legal and financial liabilities," the ministry said.

Gulfnews.com

Omani businesses cannot terminate employees without notifying MoL

Oman has said that no institution can terminate an employee's services without first submitting a request to the Ministry of Labour for review. Companies failing to notify the Ministry before layoffs could face legal action. The statement came in response to concerns raised by a member of the Majlis A' Shura regarding recent layoffs in a prominent private sector company. The Ministry will also address complaints from employees who have been terminated without proper procedure.

Oman Observer

ECONOMY

Saudi Arabia to open financial market to all foreign investors

Beginning February 1, Saudi Arabia will allow all foreign investors to participate directly in its financial markets, removing previous restrictions that limited access. The initiative comes as part of the country's efforts to draw more investment while reducing its reliance on oil. Although the reforms have been welcomed, market analysts believe the overall impact may be limited since a significant portion of institutional investors already had access.

Reuters

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Dubai College of Tourism's online tour guide training programme celebrates five years

The Dubai Tour Guide Programme, launched by the Dubai College of Tourism, has trained over 2,400 licensed guides from more than 50 nationalities in its five years. The fully-online course, available in English and Mandarin, aims to support Dubai's tourism sector by providing certified guides who enhance visitor experiences. Mariam Sultan Al Maeeni, Vice President at DCT, said: "Tour guides play an important role in bringing Dubai's character to life." The programme is open to UAE residents aged 18 and above, offering flexible training and opportunities for part-time or freelance work.

Zawya EN

INTERNATIONAL

US Chamber gets fast-tracked appeal in $100,000 H-1B fee dispute

A US appeals court has agreed to expedite an appeal regarding President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for hiring skilled foreign workers. The US Chamber of Commerce argued that a swift review is crucial to protect employers' rights ahead of the H-1B visa lottery in March. "Those employers' ability to participate in the H-1B program this year therefore hinges on the outcome of this appeal; without relief by March, it will be too late,” the Chamber said. The appeal follows a December 24 decision by a district judge affirming the fee's legality. The Trump administration has said the H1-B program has been abused by US employers who seek to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign workers.

U.S. News

Europe braces for more travel chaos

Travellers across Europe are facing significant disruptions due to a severe cold snap. In Paris, authorities have mandated a 40% cancellation of flights at Charles de Gaulle airport. Dutch airline KLM has cancelled 600 flights to manage the situation. In the Netherlands, public transport is severely affected, and people are advised to stay home. The cold snap is expected to worsen, with heavy snowfall predicted, impacting travel across multiple countries. "We haven't experienced such extreme weather conditions in years," KLM spokesperson Anoesjka Aspeslagh said.

France 24

Bank employees in India rally for five-day week

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing nine unions in India's banking sector, organised a demonstration at Bank Square, Sector 17, Chandigarh, as part of its nationwide campaign demanding the immediate implementation of a five-day working week. The gathering heard that if the five-day work week was not implemented, the agitation would intensify, culminating in an all-India bank strike on January 27. "It is unfortunate that the government is not responding to our genuine demand. There would be no loss of man-hours because we have agreed to an extra 40 minutes working per day from Monday to Friday," UFBU said in a statement.

The Times of India

The Tribune

Hong Kong accounting firms plan hiring spree

KPMG, Deloitte and EY are expanding their respective workforces in Hong Kong, as they aim to attract new accountants while integrating artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency. Andrew Wong, partner at KPMG China, said: "We do not believe AI is a replacement for humans," as he highlighted that AI in fact complements human roles. Derek Lai from EY noted that AI tools are essential for attracting young talent, especially in debt restructuring, where efficiency is crucial.

South China Morning Post

OTHER

US operation in Venezuela 'undermined international law'

US airstrikes on Venezuela and the seizure of president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in the early hours of Saturday clearly “undermined a fundamental principle of international law,” the United Nations argued Tuesday. “States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN rights office, told reporters. “And this is what we are seeing,” she said, as she urged the international community to “come together with one voice . . . to make clear that this is an action that is in contravention of the international law that was set up by member states.”

The Times of Israel

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe