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Middle East Edition
17th November 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Saudi salary premiums for foreign recruits reduced

Several recruiters have told Reuters that private sector employers in Saudi Arabia are reducing the generous salary premiums that once attracted top foreign talent to sectors including construction and manufacturing as Riyadh mounts a drive to cut costs and reorders economic priorities. Saudi private sector salaries are now comparable to the UAE's. "The pace of development has slowed and this has led to a slowdown in recruitment. Now employers are negotiating salaries more than before, when there was a shortage, and companies have implemented cost-conscious measures," said Hasan Babat, chief executive of Dubai-based Tuscan Middle East, a recruitment consultancy.
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WORKFORCE

The key role of nomadic women in Iran

Nomadic women are vital to Iran's tribal communities, contributing to social and economic sustainability, Deputy Cultural Heritage Minister Ali Darabi has said. At a recent gathering focused on developing entrepreneurial skills, Darabi highlighted these women's role as guardians of culture and essential support for nomadic societies. He noted a 2024 project aimed at empowering these women in West and Central Asia, which included documenting traditional knowledge and integrating it into policymaking. “We believe that sustainable development emerges from within culture and from the heart of living communities,” Darabi said. “It is time for indigenous knowledge and climate wisdom, alongside modern science, to be placed at the centre of the country's development and cultural policymaking.”

UAE's national workforce grows 11%

The UAE's national workforce expanded by over 11% in the past year, with skilled workers increasing by more than 13%, according to Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation. As of October 2025, over 156,000 Emiratis are employed in the private sector, which has seen a 14% rise in establishments. Dr Al Awar noted that this growth reflects strong confidence in the UAE's economy and aligns with the country's vision for a competitive, knowledge-based economy. He said: "The national labour market now ranks first globally across several competitiveness indicators."
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INVESTMENT

Saudi Arabia boosts R&D spending

Saudi Arabia's spending on research and development rose by 30.4% to SR29.48bn ($78.6bn) in 2024, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The business sector led with 40.3% of total spending, amounting to SR11.87bn, closely followed by the government sector at 40.2% with SR11.86bn. The number of employees in R&D increased by 14.7%, reaching 56,600. GASTAT noted that these statistics are crucial for understanding economic trends and supporting national policies aimed at enhancing innovation and competitiveness in the Kingdom.
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LEGAL

Egypt's Al-Sisi ratifies new criminal procedures law

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has ratified a new criminal procedures law, set to take effect on October 1, 2026. The law follows amendments made by the House of Representatives to address Al-Sisi's concerns regarding home sanctity and the rights of the accused. Key changes include increasing alternatives to pre-trial detention from three to seven and ensuring regular reviews of pre-trial detention cases by the public prosecutor. The presidency said that the amendments enhance human rights protections and aim to expedite investigations and trials while ensuring fairness.
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STRATEGY

JPMorgan expands midcap focus in Dubai

JPMorgan has expanded its operations in Dubai to target mid-sized companies as the bank aims to grow business in the Middle East.  “The Middle East is of course a priority,” observed Stefan Povaly, co-head of corporate banking for EMEA. The bank is also eyeing Turkey, building on recent midcap expansions in Austria and Poland. Rival Citigroup acknowledges increased competition, with executive Alex Stiris noting: “We have to be on our tiptoes.”
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TAX

Egypt intends to expand annual tax revenues by 35%

Egypt plans to increase tax revenues by 35% annually, according to Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib. He said the government aims to create a fair and transparent tax system to enhance investor confidence and stimulate private sector growth. The strategy includes 20 structural measures, such as expanding the tax base and digitising collection processes. El-Khatib emphasised the importance of updating policies to improve resource management and healthcare services. He also mentioned a unified digital platform that offers over 359 services to investors, streamlining the licensing process to 20 days.
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INTERNATIONAL

European countries see increase in attacks against migrant workers

France 24 reports that several European countries have seen an increase in attacks on migrant workers as hate speech becomes more prevalent across the continent. Concern about the situation is growing in Romania, which relies heavily on non-EU workers in its manufacturing, construction, trade and hospitality sectors. Romulus Badea, president of the country's Employers' Federation of Labour Force Importers, said that while attacks against foreign workers have been isolated, he hopes they won't "become a phenomenon." The Council of Europe's anti-discrimination body, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), said last month in a report on Romania: "Issues of concern are the increasing presence of hate speech in political discourse, in the media and online." 

Australian miners to receive compensation for Christmas and Boxing Day work

BHP has been ordered by Australia's Federal Court to compensate 85 coal mine workers for unlawfully requiring them to work on Christmas and Boxing Day without proper rights to refuse. Each worker will receive between A$800 and A$2,400 ($521-$1,565), along with an additional A$15,000 penalty payable to the Mining and Energy Union. MEU Queensland President Mitch Hughes observed: “the bigger principle here is that Australian workers can raise reasonable grounds to refuse to work on public holidays.”

TSA faces lawsuit over its transgender policy

A Virginia transportation security officer, Danielle Mittereder, has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security, claiming sex discrimination due to a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) policy that prohibits transgender officers from conducting security pat-downs. The policy, enacted in February to align with President Donald Trump's executive order defining two sexes, has been criticised for violating civil rights laws. Mittereder's complaint states: “Solely because she is transgender, TSA now prohibits Plaintiff from conducting core functions of her job.” The lawsuit highlights claims of an emotional toll on Mittereder, who is said to have experienced anxiety and humiliation due to the policy. Jonathan Puth, Mittereder's lawyer, described the TSA's actions as “terribly demeaning and 100% illegal.” The TSA maintains that the policy is necessary for operational needs, but critics argue it could lead to delays in airport security and further discrimination against transgender employees.

Bangladeshi workers demand justice in Malaysia

About 100 Bangladeshi workers have protested in Dhaka, demanding unpaid wages and fair treatment from Malaysian employers. Organised by the Migrant Welfare Network, the rally highlighted alleged mistreatment of migrant workers in Malaysia. The demonstrators called for compensation for 431 workers reportedly exploited by Mediceram and Kawaguchi Manufacturing. Former employees shared experiences of wage withholding and hardship. The group urged authorities and international buyers to ensure justice and address systemic abuses. Complaints have been filed against companies, including Ansell, for forced labour and neglect.
 
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