THE HOT STORY

Bahrain prioritises its citizens in local job market

Bahrain's Labour Ministry has outlined a strategy to prioritise citizens in the local job market while allowing businesses to hire foreign workers when necessary. Minister Yousif Khalaf said that the national labour market plan for 2023-2026 aims to enhance economic growth and create sustainable job opportunities for Bahrainis. Employers must now wait 21 days for foreign work permit approvals, during which period they must advertise locally. The government is also increasing fees for foreign work permits and implementing Bahrainisation quotas to ensure local hiring. Khalaf observed: "The national labour market plan places the citizen at the heart of development in Bahrain."

Gdn Online

REMOTE WORKING

Qatar extends remote work system

The Council of Ministers Secretariat General in Doha has announced that the remote work system will remain in place for up to 70% of employees in each entity. Priority will be given to mothers and persons with disabilities, ensuring work requirements are met. The remaining 30% of employees will return to their workplaces starting March 9, 2026. The policy applies to all ministries and public bodies, but excludes military, security, and health sector employees, as well as those whose roles require physical presence. "It has been decided to continue implementing the remote work system," the Council said.

Khaleej Times Online

The Peninsula

WORKFORCE

UAE's private sector is operating at full capacity, MoHRE says

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has reported that the UAE's labour market is operating efficiently and without disruption. Such stability is attributed to four key pillars: a flexible work ecosystem, advanced digital infrastructure, strong operational readiness, and sustained confidence in the labour market. The ministry noted that 99% of private sector workers are registered in the Wage Protection System.

Gulfnews.com

RISK

Iran hits Amazon data centres in jolt to Gulf AI drive

Drone strikes targeting Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centres in the UAE and Bahrain have highlighted the vulnerability of major cloud infrastructure in the Middle East. AWS has confirmed that two UAE sites were hit, disrupting regional services including banking apps. Analysts believe this marks the first military attack on major “hyperscaler” cloud providers, raising concerns for Gulf states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia that are investing billions to become global artificial intelligence hubs. The incidents could increase perceived risk for investors and tech companies planning large-scale data centre projects in the region, though experts say such infrastructure expansion is still likely to continue despite the security challenges.

Financial Times

The Seattle Times

STRATEGY

Kuehne+Nagel to cut over 2,000 jobs

Kuehne+Nagel, the Swiss logistics group which ⁠operates in more than 100 countries, is cutting more than 2,000 jobs as part of a cost-savings programme that was implemented in the fourth quarter. Chief executive Stefan Paul said the company may benefit from the conflict in the Middle East, because global trade turmoil typically drives higher demand for its consultancy services. "Complexity normally helps a forwarder to have better results," he said.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Europol says Iran crisis raises threat of terror, cyberattacks

Europol has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict will have "immediate repercussions" for European Union security, leading to an increased threat of terrorism, organised crime, and cyberattacks. Europol spokesman Jan Op Gen Oorth said that he anticipates a rise in cyberattacks targeting European infrastructure, alongside sophisticated online fraud driven by artificial intelligence. He observed that groups linked to Iran may engage in "destabilising activities" within the EU, including terrorist attacks. "The level of terrorist threat and violent extremism in EU territory is considered high," he said, noting that the rapid spread of polarising content online could accelerate radicalisation among diaspora communities.

U.S. News

Overhauled US visa system to get its first major test

The Trump administration's changes to the US visa system for highly skilled immigrants are set to be tested with the upcoming H-1B lottery. This year, sponsors must pay a $100,000 fee, which is expected to disadvantage IT consulting firms that have previously dominated the visa allocation. “This is going to be a bit of a sea change,” observed Peter Bendor-Samuel, the executive chairman of global research firm Everest Group, which works with companies that routinely use the H-1B program. Companies such as Cognizant have already reduced their reliance on H-1Bs, while others are prioritising hiring immigrants already in the U.S. Hiba Anver, a partner with Erickson Immigration Group, said: “There are several changes that taken collectively will diminish the tech industry's ability to attract and retain key talent . . . [this] will result in a smaller talent pool for tech companies.”

Los Angeles Times

Seoul court rules on rescinding of job within minutes

A Seoul Administrative Court has ruled that rescinding a job offer just four minutes after it was granted constitutes unfair dismissal. The case involved an applicant who received a job offer via text from the company's CEO, only to have it cancelled shortly after. “Once an employment contract is formed by a notice of acceptance, the requirements for dismissal under the Labor Standards Act must be met to cancel it,” the court said. “Canceling the hire without providing written notice of the reason and date of dismissal constitutes unfair dismissal.”

Korea Joongang Daily

Singapore to train 100,000 'AI-bilingual' workers by 2029

Singapore plans to train 100,000 workers in AI skills by 2029 under the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP). The initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of professionals in fields including accountancy and law, thus enabling them to integrate AI into their work processes. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said: "Not all of us can be AI engineers. But we can be ‘bilingual' in AI and our own areas of expertise." The programme will also support 10,000 enterprises in adopting AI technologies, with a focus on improving productivity and innovation across various sectors.

Straits Times

OTHER

Study links ultra-processed foods to behavioural issues in pre-schoolers

A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that pre-school children who consume more ultra-processed foods may be more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems, including anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity. Researchers analysing data from nearly 2,100 children in Canada found that every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed foods was associated with higher problem scores by age five. The findings indicate that replacing even small portions of ultra-processed foods with whole foods such as fruits and vegetables could support healthier emotional and behavioural development in early childhood.

US News and World Report

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