Human Times
The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
Human Times Logo
Middle East Edition
1st October 2026
 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

THE HOT STORY

North Korean hacking group exploits jobseekers to steal millions

North Korean hacking group WaterPlum is exploiting job advertisements to gather sensitive information from applicants worldwide. Authorities from the US, Japan, Germany, and Australia reported that the group has infiltrated over 30,000 devices, stealing $10.71m in cryptocurrency. WaterPlum posed as employers, targeting IT professionals and using AI face-swapping software during fake interviews. Dr Andrew Cullen from the University of Melbourne said it was difficult to understand the scale of the problem, especially as it related to workers infiltrating companies, because that information was rarely disclosed. "It's really hard for governments and cybersecurity organisations to try and collect this large-scale data to show how much of a problem it is across the economy," he said.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

CYBERSECURITY

New UAE campaign warns of fake jobs

The UAE has launched the “UAE Safe Through Your Digital Awareness” campaign to combat rising cybercrime, particularly that which exploits AI. Officials from the Ministry of Interior and Dubai Police highlighted the dangers of fake job offers that trick victims into providing bank access or transferring money. Brigadier Saeed Mohammed Al Hajeri said: "Our goal is to reach zero victims of cyber gangs." The campaign aims to educate the public on cyber risks and enhance awareness of evolving fraud techniques, especially during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

TECHNOLOGY

Trump calls for ‘tremendous self-regulation’ of AI

President Trump has called for “tremendous self-regulation” of artificial intelligence at a White House summit with tech leaders including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, XAI’s Elon Musk and Google’s Sundar Pichai, who agreed to a “morally binding” set of principles for the technology. “We automatically have regulation with the Department of Justice, the FBI, all of that. But the self-regulation is very important,” Trump said.  Six of the chief executives signed a one-page document titled the “White House Accord on Super Intelligence: Joint Commitment on Frontier Responsibilities.” Trump told reporters: “It’s almost like a constitution in a way,” adding: “The biggest people in the world signed that, and I signed it as president, and it really is a form of protection . . . I think it’s morally binding.”
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKPLACE

UAE tracks radiation exposure of workers

The UAE has established a National Dose Registry (NDR) to monitor radiation exposure for approximately 27,000 workers. The central database tracks occupational exposure to ionising radiation, enabling authorities to identify unusual levels and trends. The Radiation Protection Committee, chaired by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), also reviewed a programme to enhance radiological monitoring of drinking water and the UAE National Radon Indoor Concentration Survey. Additionally, updates on national reference levels for medical imaging radiation were discussed to optimise doses while ensuring quality. FANR coordinates radiation protection across the country.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKFORCE

Saudi Arabia allows some ‘absent' workers to transfer to new employers

Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia with an "absent" employment status can now transfer to new employers via the Qiwa platform, provided they have spent over 12 months in the Kingdom. Qiwa, under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said this applies to workers affected by absence or work interruption reports. The new employer must settle any outstanding work permit fees. Qiwa clarified that disputes should be resolved through the Ministry's services, not through its platform. Access to Qiwa is electronic; paper documents are not accepted.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

RISK

UAE launches initiative to combat digital violence against women

The UAE has launched the global SAFE-T Initiative to combat technology-facilitated violence against women. Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the initiative aims to enhance digital safety and promote women's participation. It is a collaboration between the General Women's Union, the Ministry of Justice, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Sheikha Fatima emphasised the need for a protective environment for women in the digital space, saying: "Our shared responsibility today is to make technology a force that serves people." The initiative will focus on education, partnerships, and support for victims.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

REMOTE WORKING

Egyptian Cabinet approves suspending remote work for Sundays

The Egyptian Cabinet has decided to suspend Prime Minister's Decision No. 982 of 2026, which mandated remote work on Sundays for certain government employees. This initiative, introduced in March due to the US-Iranian conflict, was implemented on April 1. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said: "If the conflict persists, we may consider adding another remote work day." He clarified that essential sectors, such as schools and hospitals, are exempt from this decision. The government said it will monitor conditions before making further changes.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

INTERNATIONAL

US consulate builder in Milan to pay $35m over labour probe

US building company Caddell Construction has agreed to a $35m settlement regarding allegations of underpaying foreign workers at the new American consulate in Milan. Prosecutors claimed that workers were paid less than $2 an hour, despite promises of fair wages. Italian labour minister Marina Calderone described the investigation as “one of the most significant operations in recent years against illegal labour contracting and worker exploitation.” Nearly 300 workers will receive an average of $57,000, with some receiving up to $102,000 in unpaid wages and damages. Luca Stanzione, secretary-general of the Milan branch of CGIL, said: “The compensation is an excellent result achieved through the efforts of prosecutors and trade unions.” The settlement also includes funds for Italy's social security authorities and labour inspectorate. Most of the affected workers were recruited from India.

Workers fired for supporting rapist boss

Three employees at Western Power in Western Australia were dismissed for writing character references for their convicted rapist manager, Jeffrey David Spinner. Spinner received a five-year sentence after being found guilty of sexual penetration without consent. Lawyer Tom Percy KC observed that the workers likely have grounds to sue for wrongful termination. "I think they'll overturn it in court pretty shortly, because it's just not fair . . . it's a human right to be able to offer someone a character reference if they ask you to do so and you think it's appropriate," he said. Western Power confirmed the dismissals followed an internal investigation that deemed the employees' conduct inconsistent with company values.

Chinese workers demand a proper break

As China approaches a week-long holiday, workers are voicing their frustrations on social media about being required to work weekends before and after the break. The backlash highlights ongoing issues of low pay and inadequate labour protections. Suzy Li, a tourism worker, described the practice of requiring workers to maintain output as "inhumane" and she called for consumer boycotts against companies that enforce such demands. Meanwhile, a Supreme People's Court report indicates that in the first nine months of 2025 (the latest statistics available), courts in China accepted 648,000 labour disputes against employers, a 37.5% increase year-on-year. “This is a highly significant shift,” that reflects “deep-seated changes in the Chinese economy,” observed Mingwei Liu, director at the Centre for Global Work and Employment at Rutgers University in New Jersey. “For workers, the previously implicit effort-reward contract is breaking down. Today, promotions, wage growth, and employment are all much more uncertain, yet excessive overtime persists. The sacrifices demanded by companies have not decreased, but the rewards they are able to offer are shrinking.”

Eiffel Tower chief to step down over removal of female staff

Eiffel Tower chief Patrick Branco Ruivo will resign at the end of the year following the controversy over the removal of female staff during a visit by a Hindu sect. The landmark's operating company, SETE, said that an internal investigation had revealed "operational flaws and shortcomings" that led to the "unacceptable" incident, which precipitated a staff walkout on September 8 and widespread outrage in France, where politicians condemned what they said was an attack on fundamental liberties. Ariel Weil, chair of SETE, said she had requested measures and training programmes promoting gender equality to be implemented.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

OTHER

Abu Dhabi and Dubai 'among world's most competitive cities'

The Boston Consulting Group's (BCG) Cities of Choice 4.0 report highlights the UAE as a leading urban destination, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai excelling in social capital, economic opportunity, quality of life, and digital government. The report, titled Built to Change: How Cities Compete for the Future, evaluates 80 cities and shows the UAE consistently surpassing global averages in resident experience. Christian Schwaerzler, managing director at BCG, observed: "Economic opportunity and quality of life are not abstract metrics; they are the reasons people choose to build their lives in a city."
 
Industry SLice Logo

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.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

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

Click here to unsubscribe