THE HOT STORY

UAE resolves 98% of worker complaints

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) reported handling over 12,000 worker complaints from January to September 2025, and resolving 98% amicably. Despite the high number of complaints, the average remains low at three per 100 workers. The success is attributed to Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023, which allows MoHRE to make final decisions on claims under Dh50,000. In addition, over 9m workers completed orientation programs in 2024, and extensive outreach efforts included 22.9m digital messages and 1.9m customer service calls. MoHRE said it aims for transparency and effective employer engagement.

Gulfnews.com

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Partnership to help shape future of Qatar's workforce

Qatar Foundation (QF) has partnered with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to create evidence-based insights for Qatar's workforce development. The collaboration will use data from QF's Alumni Impact Study, which tracks employment outcomes of graduates over 25 years. The partnership aims to produce five policy briefs addressing skills gaps, talent retention, entrepreneurship support, alignment of higher education with labour market needs, and gender equality in employment. Francisco Marmolejo, QF's President of Higher Education, said: "This collaboration enables us to generate evidence-based perspectives aimed at advancing knowledge." Francesco d'Ovidio, ILO's country office director, noted the partnership's potential for impactful policy recommendations.

Gulf Times

The Peninsula

UAE Career Forum for Emirati students overseas

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is partnering with the Education & Technology Sciences Attaché UAE Embassy in London to launch its first UAE Career Forum for Emirati students abroad. The initiative will serve as a gateway for Emirati students studying in Europe including the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Germany and Hungary, enabling them to connect with leading UAE and global entities and secure pathways into elite graduate and pre-graduate programmes.

Zawya EN

TECHNOLOGY

AI companies' safety practices 'fail to meet global standards'

A new edition of the Future of Life Institute's AI safety index says the safety practices of artificial intelligence companies including Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI and Meta are "far short of emerging global standards." Max Tegmark, MIT professor and Future of Life president, observed: "Despite recent uproar over AI-powered hacking and AI driving people to psychosis and self-harm, US AI companies remain less regulated than restaurants and continue lobbying against binding safety standards."

Reuters

WORKPLACE

IWG opens new flexible workspace in Oman

International Workplace Group (IWG) has launched a new flexible workspace in Muscat's Roola District. The opening aligns with the growing demand for flexible working arrangements, providing companies with access to various locations to enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Mark Dixon, chief executive of IWG, said: "The opening of HQ Roola District Building comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible and platform working is incredibly popular with employees." The new facility includes private offices, meeting rooms, and co-working spaces, catering to diverse industries.

Zawya EN

‘Hair salons and saunas’: Perks are the new frontier in the battle for top lawyers

Law firms are seeking to differentiate themselves beyond pay, the Financial Times reports. From health food to juice bars, office perks have become the new frontier in the war for talent.

Financial Times

LEGAL

Saudi Arabia introduces new law to protect local products

Saudi Arabia has enacted a new Geographical Indications Protection Law to safeguard local products linked to specific regions. The law, effective 180 days post-publication, imposes penalties for misuse, including jail terms of one month to three years and fines up to SR1m. Offenders face consequences for counterfeiting or misleading consumers about product origins. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) will manage a national registry for geographical indications. Authorities aim to protect products like Taif roses and Najran honey from domestic and international misuse.

Gulfnews.com

INTERNATIONAL

UK employees to get unlimited compensation for unfair dismissal

The UK government plans to remove the £118,000 cap on unfair dismissal compensation, raising concerns among employment experts that bosses will become "more cold blooded" during probation periods. Colin Leckey from Lewis Silkin warned that uncapped compensation could lead to increased claims and discourage hiring. He said: "This does not sound like a recipe for growth." Elsewhere, Dan Pollard, a partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, said: "Today's development is frankly bonkers . . . unless introduced overnight it has the potential to create a bloodbath as employers seek to exit underperforming senior staff ahead of time."

AT&T to cease DEI activities to appease FCC

US wireless carrier AT&T has confirmed its decision to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes in order to secure approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its $1.02bn acquisition of wireless spectrum assets. The move aligns with similar actions taken by T-Mobile and Verizon, which have also ceased DEI initiatives while pursuing regulatory approvals for major deals. AT&T said in its letter to the FCC that it “does not and will not have any roles focused on DEI.”

CNN

Reuters

India reverses order to install government app on all smartphones

The Indian government has reversed a policy mandating the installation of a state-run cyber security app on citizens' mobile devices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government had privately told companies including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi that their products would have to carry an app called Sanchar Saathi, which would be able to access call logs and memory systems. The initiative was met with opposition from privacy advocates, as well as the tech companies themselves. The Internet Freedom Foundation called the reversal a “welcome development,” and thanked all parties who “raised their voice, reported on the issue or pushed back against this mandate.”

Financial Times

Reuters

WhatsApp faces possible Russia ban

Russia's state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has threatened to completely block WhatsApp unless it complies with local laws aimed at combating crime and terrorism. The regulator accused WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, of failing to share necessary information with law enforcement after previously limiting some calls on the platform. In response, WhatsApp has claimed that the Russian government is attempting to restrict access to secure communications, while authorities promote a state-backed app called MAX, which critics speculate could track users.

Reuters

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