Human Times
The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
Human Times Logo
Middle East Edition
5th October 2026
 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

THE HOT STORY

GCC remittances soar to record high

The report "Outward Workers' Remittances from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, 2025," by GCC-Stat reveals that GCC nations recorded the highest global outward remittances, totalling approximately $161bn in 2025, a 13.6% increase from the previous year. This growth reflects the ongoing appeal of expatriate workers and economic expansion driven by infrastructure projects. Remittances accounted for about 6.6% of the GCC's combined GDP in 2025. The report highlighted that GCC remittances surpassed those of major economies, underscoring the region's economic significance and its integration into global financial flows.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

PRODUCTIVITY

AI revolutionises UAE labour market

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into government services, enhancing efficiency and productivity. AI has streamlined processes, reducing transaction times by up to 95% and automating over 11m transactions. The ministry is shifting from reactive to proactive regulatory models, using data analysis for risk prediction. This transformation supports Emiratisation by preparing workers for advanced roles. Mohamed Saqr Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary at MoHRE, emphasised the importance of responsible AI use, highlighting the need for data protection and ethical governance in this evolving landscape.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKFORCE

Dubai's strategy to boost teacher talent

Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), announced a new strategy to enhance teachers' quality of life in Dubai. This initiative aims to attract and retain top teaching talent by focusing on professional development, recognition, and work-life balance. Miran noted that global studies highlight a shortage of educational personnel, making it crucial for Dubai to create an appealing environment for educators. The strategy will cover the entire teacher journey, from recruitment to long-term retention, ultimately improving educational outcomes for students.

Teachers face a transformative future

World Teachers' Day highlights significant changes in the teaching profession, driven by technology, climate change, and ongoing issues like pay and working conditions. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation on teachers' status, which set international standards for their rights and responsibilities. UNESCO will host discussions in Paris to address these challenges and promote strategies for enhancing teachers' roles. Iman Salman Al Mohannadi from Qatar's Ministry of Education emphasised the need for tailored professional development to equip teachers for future demands, stating: "An empowered teacher, supported by technology, can deliver education of global quality."

Egypt grants October 8 as paid official holiday

Egyptian Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad has announced that Thursday, 8 October 2026, will be a paid holiday for private-sector workers, replacing the original date of 6 October. This decision aims to standardise holiday dates across sectors and fulfil social and national purposes. Raddad noted that employers may require workers to work on this day, entitling them to double pay or a compensatory day off. This measure aligns with Article 129 of Labor Law No. 14 of 2025, which guarantees paid leave on public holidays and special occasions.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

CYBERSECURITY

OpenAI says rogue agents may have affected more than 100 organisations

ChatGPT maker OpenAI has informed more than 100 organisations about incidents involving unauthorised activity tied to its ​AI agents. "In some cases, models used internet access in unintended ways or, in retrospect, did not have the ideal restrictions applied. Over the last ​several months, ​we have ⁠been applying new technical and operational measures to avoid similar problems, or catch ​them very early, and will continue this ​work," ⁠OpenAI wrote in a blog post.

OpenAI safety leader resigns over culture

David Robinson, a safety leader at OpenAI, has resigned, citing a broken culture within the company. In his essay for Atlantic magazine, he expressed concerns that AI firms are not exercising sufficient caution in technology development. He highlighted incidents like autonomous OpenAI agents attacking Hugging Face as indicative of the industry's reckless pace. Robinson stated: "We need to talk about culture," emphasising the need for a cultural overhaul. OpenAI has recently shown signs of caution, pausing model training and scrapping a new AI release after safety concerns were raised.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

CSR

Maala's quiet revolution in corporate responsibility

Maala, a nonprofit based in Tel Aviv, is reshaping corporate responsibility in Israel. Founded in 1998, it guides over 130 major companies in adopting social and environmental accountability standards. Chief executive Momo Mahadav noted that businesses have shifted from viewing corporate responsibility as mere philanthropy to integrating it into their operations. Following the October 7 attack by Hamas, companies mobilised quickly to support communities and employees. Maala's ESG Index, published annually, evaluates corporate performance on over 200 indicators, promoting transparency and accountability in business practices. Mahadav emphasised the need for hope and long-term change in Israeli society.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

TAX

UAE joins BRICS tax talks on technology and cooperation

The UAE has joined tax authorities from 10 BRICS nations in New Delhi to discuss enhancing tax systems through technology and cooperation. The UAE's Federal Tax Authority (FTA) delegation, led by Abdulaziz Al Mulla, focused on sharing experiences and addressing challenges in tax administration. “The Federal Tax Authority places great importance on strengthening international cooperation and exchanging knowledge and expertise with tax administrations around the world,” Al Mulla said. “Our participation in the BRICS Tax Experts and Tax Heads Meeting 2026 provides an important opportunity to learn from diverse experiences, share best practices and explore new approaches that can contribute to the continued development of tax administration.” The meeting aimed to explore new approaches and identify solutions to common issues faced by tax administrations, fostering stronger professional relationships among countries.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

LEGAL

Egypt's Parliament committee approves one-year delay to new Criminal Procedures Law

The Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee of Egypt's House of Representatives has approved a draft bill to delay the new Criminal Procedures Law by one year. The law, which was originally set to take effect on October 1, 2026, will now be implemented on October 1, 2027. The postponement allows for necessary preparations, including the completion of electronic systems for remote litigation and training personnel. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi previously approved the law, which includes significant amendments for stronger protections and new procedures. The Ministry of Justice is working on ensuring readiness for the law's implementation.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

STRATEGY

Nike to cut jobs

Nike has announced plans to cut jobs and launch a $2.5bn cost-saving program as weakening demand across key markets weighs on sales. The sportswear group forecasts that revenue will fall by billions of dollars in its current fiscal year. First-quarter revenue fell 4% year-on-year to $11.2bn, below consensus estimates compiled by Visible Alpha, while net income declined 2% to $712m. The group’s new five-year cost-cutting program, called Pace, is expected to deliver $2.5bn of savings and reduce Nike’s 73,000-strong workforce, although it has not disclosed how many roles will be affected or where the cuts will take place. Nike has also announced plans to open a new campus in Bengaluru, describing India as an important growth market and manufacturing hub, while consolidating its four geographic divisions into three.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

INTERNATIONAL

California bans employers from relying solely on AI to fire or discipline workers

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed the No Robo Bosses Act, prohibiting employers from relying exclusively on AI to make decisions about employee termination or discipline. Employers that rely primarily on AI for such decisions will be required to have a human reviewer corroborate the outcome using additional information, including managerial evaluations, peer reviews, and personnel files, and must notify affected employees about the AI’s use and the data considered. The legislation follows an earlier version vetoed by Newsom in 2025, with lawmakers subsequently removing advance notification requirements and protections for gig workers. The law makes California the first state to introduce such extensive restrictions on AI-driven employment decisions, amid growing scrutiny of automated workplace management systems.

Parental leave rates fall at Korean chipmakers

Parental leave rates at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have decreased as employees prioritise performance bonuses during the semiconductor boom. Samsung's rate fell to 35.5% in the first half of 2026, down from 36.2% the previous year. Male employees' leave rate dropped to 11.2%, while female employees' rate fell to 88.2%. SK hynix reported a 3.2% parental leave rate, down from 4%. Analysts suggest that employees are opting out of leave to secure substantial bonuses, which can reach up to 600m won.

VW union angered after labour deals cut short

Volkswagen has terminated most of its collective bargaining framework from December 1, in a move which could precipitate the renegotiation of costly labour benefits for the carmaker's German workers, raising the risks of strike action. Thorsten Groeger, a representative for IG Metall, Germany's top industrial union, said the terminations were "a despicable blow to the workforce . . . We will not accept this. Anyone who tries to reach into the employees' pockets must ​expect a fight." Arne Meiswinkel, the human resources chief of VW's core brand, said terminating the agreements "gives us room to negotiate ‌so that ⁠we can then agree on the necessary measures . . . We must continue to work on our cost structures."

South Africa's formal sector sheds 14,000 jobs in Q2

Total employment in South Africa's formal non-agricultural sector fell by 14,000 (-0.1%) in the second quarter, according to the Statistics SA Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2026) report. The decline was primarily due to losses in manufacturing, business services, trade, and transport. However, community services, electricity, mining, and construction saw increases. Year-on-year, total employment decreased by 95,000. Full-time employment dropped by 96,000, while part-time employment rose by 26,000. Gross earnings also fell by R4.8bn, although basic salaries increased by R15.5bn.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

AND FINALLY...

Iced coffee, hot debate

The debate over Gen Z candidates arriving at interviews with iced coffee has sparked discussions about professionalism. Caitlin Wehniainen, a corporate recruiter, noted this trend on TikTok. Laura Conway, candidate experience manager at Gi Group, emphasised that employers should focus on a candidate's suitability rather than superficial details. Experts like Kirsten Barnes, chief executive of Bright Network, highlighted the need for teaching unwritten workplace rules. Emma McDowell, head of candidate delivery at Flex Legal, pointed out that Gen Z must develop analogue skills to succeed in a changing work environment.
 
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