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Middle East Edition
7th August 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Syria reinstates dismissed civil servants

Syria's transitional government has reinstated all civil servants dismissed for participating in the 2011 uprising against the Assad regime. Minister of Local Administration and Environment Mohammad Anjarani described the move as an “ethical and national responsibility.” The ministry said it aims to review the qualifications of returning employees to effectively rebuild state institutions. The decision is part of a broader effort to reverse politically motivated dismissals, with nearly 50,000 civil servants reinstated since the regime's collapse in December 2024. Anjarani observed that these returning employees possess valuable experience for the country's rebuilding process.
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LEGAL

UAE labour claims centre handles over 3 million calls in first six months of 2026

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)'s Labour Claims and Advisory Centre took more than 3.4m calls in the first half of the year, including over 1.119m inbound calls and more than 2.3m outbound calls, according to a performance report. Ahmed Al Qara, director of the Labour Relations Department at MoHRE, said: “We continue to invest in developing the Labour Claims and Advisory Centre as one of our most important direct communication channels with customers. We do this by leveraging the latest AI applications and smart analytics, while strengthening integration across service channels to ensure rapid response times, accurate information, and seamless access to services.”
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HIRING

Qatar warns recruitment offices over licence violations

The Ministry of Labour in Qatar has warned recruitment offices about severe penalties for non-compliance with employment contract obligations. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hatmi, director of the Work Permits Department, said that violations include failure to adhere to contract terms and delays in refunding fees. The ministry conducts unannounced inspections to ensure compliance and has introduced legislative amendments to strengthen oversight.
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WORKFORCE

UAE's employers to bear pension contributions for Emirati employees

The Nafis programme has announced significant updates regarding pension contributions for Emirati employees in the private sector. Effective from September, employers will now be responsible for the full pension contributions for Emiratis enrolled in the Ishtirak programme. The change aims to enhance job security and professional stability for Emirati workers. Nafis emphasised that a fair salary is linked to long-term protection and that sustainable Emiratization focuses on job quality, not just quantity. "Pensions constitute one of the most important pillars of long-term financial and job security," Nafis said.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

‘Qudwati' programme connects Abu Dhabi's youth with mentors

The "Qudwati" programme, launched by the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi, connects young people aged 18 to 24 with experienced mentors. The initiative aims to enhance life skills, build confidence, and aid in informed decision-making. Through one-on-one mentoring, participants gain insights into career planning and personal development. DCD said: "The programme reflects Abu Dhabi's vision of investing in people."
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CYBERSECURITY

Hedge funds targeted in wave of attempted cyberattacks

Some of the biggest US hedge funds, including Steve Cohen’s Point72 and Ken Griffin’s Citadel, have been targeted by a wave of attempted cyber attacks. The hacking attempts featured phone calls in which ⁠cybercriminals tried to trick employees into granting them access or handing ​over other sensitive information, according to people familiar with the situation. Reuters notes that the phone call tactic is still widely used by hackers because of ​its effectiveness. Vinod Paul, president of Align Managed Services, which specialises in helping hedge funds with cybersecurity and information technology, said AI tools are helping bad actors launch attacks relatively cheaply and more broadly. “Before they could attack 50 entities in a targeted attack, now they can do 1,000 . . . Hackers can also listen into a phone call and mimic the voice, tone and phrasings of the speakers to create fake calls,” Paul said.
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INTERNATIONAL

OpenAI pays $3.2m in US probe over hiring foreign workers

OpenAI and Statsig, a subsidiary which makes product development software, will pay $3.2m to settle US government claims that they favoured foreign workers with temporary employment visas and discriminated ​against US job applicants when hiring. The Justice Department said various steps were taken to discourage US ​workers from applying for positions, including requiring applicants to mail paper applications instead of ​submitting electronic ones, advertising jobs on the radio late at night, and ⁠not posting the openings on an external website. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said that "this substantial settlement ensures that OpenAI redresses harm and ​changes its recruitment practices ​so that US ⁠workers receive a fair opportunity for highly sought-after technology positions."

Qantas weighs offshoring up to 1,000 corporate roles to India

Qantas is considering a restructuring that may involve relocating up to 1,000 corporate roles to India as part of Project iQ, an initiative aimed at cost reduction and enhancing artificial intelligence use. The airline is in preliminary discussions with Accenture about the plan, which may involve shifting parts of human resources, marketing, finance and other back-office functions offshore, but has not finalised any agreements. Chief Technology, AI and Transformation Officer Rachel Yangoyan leads the project, which has raised concerns among the Australian Services Union regarding potential job losses. Union assistant national secretary Scott Cowen urged Qantas to honour commitments to local employment, emphasising the importance of experienced staff for service quality.

UK hiring falls amid increased demand for AI skills

UK hiring declined in the first half of 2026, with job postings down 11% since the start of the year and 32% below pre-pandemic levels, according to Indeed. Graduate vacancies fell to their lowest level for this point in the year since 2020, while summer job postings hit a four-year low, highlighting ongoing challenges for younger workers. Advertised wage growth also slowed to 3.9%, the weakest since early 2022. Meanwhile, the data shows that demand for AI skills reached a record high, with AI-related tools mentioned in 9.4% of UK job adverts. "The UK's labour market is under sustained ​pressure. Hiring demand is falling across most parts of ​the economy, while posted wage growth is gradually cooling," ⁠Indeed senior economist Jack Kennedy said.

Widespread layoffs hit Bangladesh garment sector

About 400 of the roughly 4,000 apparel factories in Bangladesh have shut over the past two years, eliminating tens of thousands of jobs, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. The sector employs more than 4.5m people, most of them women. Analysts say Bangladesh faces a challenge in Europe, its largest market, as India and Vietnam gain ground through free-trade agreements, and the pressure could build as Bangladesh is set to lose duty-free preferential market access in Europe and other countries because its status as a least-developed country is scheduled to expire in 2029. "If Bangladesh fails to strike free-trade agreements after the end of the preferential trade regime, the country may risk losing competitiveness," observed Dhaka University professor Selim Raihan.
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OTHER

Uniqlo to launch first hijab collection in Malaysia

Uniqlo will launch its first hijab collection in Malaysia on August 17th, introducing three designs - Airism UV Protection, Georgette and Satin - each priced at RM59.90 ($14.60). Designed for Malaysia's warm climate, the collection focuses on comfort, breathability and versatility, and will be available in all Uniqlo stores across the country and online, supported by a marketing campaign featuring three Malaysian personalities. 
 
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