THE HOT STORY

Saudi firms hiring illegal workers face steep fines

The Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia has announced severe penalties for companies employing expatriates illegally. Employers allowing workers to operate for themselves or others, or employing workers sponsored by others, will face fines up to SR100,000. Additional consequences include a five-year ban on hiring new workers, public naming of the establishment, and potential imprisonment of the responsible manager for up to one year. If the manager is an expatriate, deportation will follow. The ministry urged compliance with residency and labour regulations and encouraged the public to report violations by calling 911 or 999.

Saudi Gazette

Zawya EN

LEGAL

Oman continues efforts to strengthen labour market stability

The Ministry of Labour in Oman has reported significant engagement in labour relations during the first half of 2026. The ministry recorded 2,957 individual and 2,908 collective labour complaints, highlighting the need for effective dispute resolution mechanisms. Labour awareness programmes reached 6,335 beneficiaries, educating workers and employers about their rights. Additionally, eight new labour unions were registered, facilitating dialogue between workers and employers. The ministry also provided 1,093 employment opportunities through welfare activities, emphasising the importance of a stable labour market. "Strengthening labour relations remains important," said a ministry spokesperson.

Oman Observer

UAE company order to pay former employee Dh318,718

The Abu Dhabi Labour Court of First Instance has ruled that a company must pay a former employee Dh318,718 for unpaid wages, an end-of-service bonus, and annual leave allowance. The court found no evidence that the employer had fulfilled its wage obligations. The employee claimed he had not received his salary for 12 months and had resigned due to non-payment. The court said that employers cannot be absolved of wage obligations without written evidence. It confirmed the employee's entitlement to the end-of-service bonus and annual leave allowance, ordering the company to pay the owed amount and associated fees.

Emirates24

WORKFORCE

Moroccan lawyers extend strike

Lawyers in Morocco are continuing a nationwide strike, launched nearly three months ago, to protest changes to their practise which they say undermine their independence. The reforms, passed by parliament in May and adopted in August despite the lawyers' ongoing protests, affect the training of lawyers, financial management, and governance of law firms.

Morocco World News

RISK

US restricts government employee travel to two Saudi cities

The US State Department has restricted travel for government employees to the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu, citing the local security situation amid attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen. "Due to the ongoing security situation in Saudi Arabia, US government employees who work in Saudi Arabia now require special authorisation for all official and personal travel to the cities of Taif and Yanbu," the department wrote on X.

Gulf Times

TECHNOLOGY

Productivity declined in 30% of companies using agentic AI, McKinsey says

According to McKinsey's Technology Trends Outlook 2026, nearly 30% of companies experienced a decline in productivity after adopting agentic artificial intelligence tools. The report highlighted that operational setbacks arise when these tools are integrated without proper structure. While AI tools can increase coding activity significantly, the actual business outcomes remain inconsistent.

The Times of India

Livemint.com

INTERNATIONAL

Singapore firms 'must plan for workers amid transformation'

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has highlighted the need for businesses to consider their workforce during operational transformations. He said that workforce issues should not be an afterthought for HR departments. Wong outlined three key shifts for Singapore: aligning learning with jobs, simplifying the employment support system, and ensuring that workforce development is integrated with business transformation. The newly formed SkillsFuture Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) will seek to facilitate these changes through its centre, Connect by SWDA, which aims to provide tailored support for both workers and employers. “Our workers cannot be an afterthought in business transformation,” Wong said. “When a company transforms, its workers should have the chance to transform with it. So the two must go hand in hand . . . We want businesses to become more productive and competitive. But we also want workers to benefit – through better skills, better jobs and better prospects,” he added.

Straits Times

Apple stores in Italy hit by strikes

Apple Retail Italia staff staged a national strike during the launch of the new iPhones on Friday, with unions reporting 70% average participation across more than 1,600 employees in 17 stores. Unions are demanding higher staffing levels, manageable workloads, more permanent contracts and greater recognition of employees’ contributions. Apple said its stores were operating normally and defended its pay, benefits and staff support programmes.

Il Sole

Reuters

Climate change is affecting OSH across the EU

A new discussion paper from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work reviews the effects of climate change on occupational safety and health (OSH) and its unequal impacts on different workforce groups. Findings show that climate change is already affecting OSH across the EU through increased injuries, adverse health outcomes, and productivity losses.

EU-OSHA

HSBC cuts back $48,000-per-child school perk

HSBC is discontinuing its education benefit for new hires and senior staff transferring to Hong Kong as part of a cost-cutting initiative led by chief executive Georges Elhedery. Hong Kong is the bank's only major hub where mid-level staff and above receive a subsidy covering 95% of school fees up to HK$220,000 (S$35,800) annually per child in primary school and HK$300,000 (S$48,800) per child in secondary school. Existing employees at band-three and managing director levels will retain the benefit. A spokesperson said: "We are focused on rewarding our employees fairly and competitively."

Straits Times

OTHER

Meloni announces ban on burqa and niqab in Italian schools

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to introduce a measure that would limit the number of foreign students in classrooms and prohibit the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools. Speaking at the Gioventù Nazionale national festival, Meloni said: "For us, anyone who comes to Italy and wants to build their future here must learn our language, understand our culture, and respect our rules." The proposed measure will require parliamentary approval within 60 days after government approval. Meloni's administration recently became Italy's longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II.

Euronews.com

Los Angeles Times

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