THE HOT STORY

UN chief warns of a rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has highlighted a "rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry and hate" during the International Day to Combat Islamophobia event in New York. He urged governments, tech companies, and individuals to combat discrimination and protect human rights. Guterres noted that nearly 2bn Muslims face exclusion and violence, both online and offline, saying: “When discriminatory narratives are echoed by those in positions of authority, prejudice becomes normalised . . . When stereotypes are left unchallenged, they harden into policy.” He added: “As Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world reaffirm values that also form the foundation of the UN Charter: empathy for the vulnerable, generosity toward neighbours, and responsibility toward the wider community.”

Arab News

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WORKFORCE

Migrant workers bear brunt of Iran's attacks in Gulf

The ongoing conflict in the Gulf has resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians, including eight foreign nationals from South Asia. Ahmad Ali, a Bangladeshi migrant, was killed while delivering water when a missile struck his van. Pakistani migrant Murib Zaman Nizar died when debris from an intercepted drone fell on his car. Many migrant workers remain vulnerable and are unable to leave the region due to financial constraints, while others are trying to maintain normalcy amid escalating tensions. "We are trying to stay calm," said an Indian engineer in Dubai.

Arab News

Israel registered 37% less unpaid leave applications than in 2025 Iran war

Israel's Employment Service has said 7,936 people registered as unemployed during the second week of the US-led conflict with Iran - a 39% increase compared with the first week of the war but a 37% decrease compared with the number registered during the first week of the 12-day war in July last year. "The Israeli labour market is demonstrating impressive resilience , but our real test is also in maintaining the employment continuity of the public - and especially of women and mothers who bear the double burden," observed Employment Service chief executive Inbal Mashash. Of the nearly 8,000 people registered for unemployment since the war began, 55% are women. Of this group, 54% are mothers of underage children.

The Jerusalem Post

WORKPLACE

Qatar announces workplace evacuation guidelines

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Qatar has released evacuation guidelines for workplaces during emergencies. Employees must evacuate immediately when an alert is issued, moving to designated safe areas. They should familiarise themselves with emergency exits and assembly points beforehand. During an evacuation, employees should remain calm, follow instructions from safety officials, and avoid using elevators. If evacuation is not possible, employees should find a safe location inside the building and wait for further instructions. The MOI encourages employees to assist others and report any individuals still inside the building.

Zawya EN

The Peninsula

LEGAL

Oman marks Arab Human Rights Day

On 16th March, Oman celebrated Arab Human Rights Day with a seminar titled "Protecting Human Rights in the Digital Space and Artificial Intelligence" at the Diplomatic Club in Muscat. The event, led by Dr. Yahya Nasser Al Khusaibi, highlighted the importance of safeguarding human rights in the digital realm. Saleh Yahya Al Maskari from the Foreign Ministry noted that digital technologies have become integral to daily life, necessitating robust legal frameworks to protect individuals. Dr. Rashid Hamad Al Balushi from the Oman Human Rights Commission emphasised the need for AI to enhance human rights work while respecting privacy and dignity.

TimesofOman

ECONOMY

Knesset advances bill to grant R&D tax credit

The Knesset Finance Committee has approved a bill to provide tax credits for corporate research and development (R&D) expenses, as Israel seeks to retain resident multinational tech firms. The “Research and Development Law” addresses concerns over brain drain amid ongoing conflict and economic uncertainty. It offsets an OECD-brokered tax hike on large companies and allows firms to retain more revenue. The legislation also offers additional benefits for companies in Israel's socio-economic periphery. If passed, it will apply retroactively to R&D expenses from January 1, 2026.

The Times of Israel

INTERNATIONAL

Stellantis pushes white-collar workers back to the office full-time

Stellantis, the carmaker that is the owner of brands ranging from Jeep to Fiat, is pushing tens of thousands of its white-collar workers in Europe back to the office full-time to boost efficiency. Since the pandemic, workers in France, Italy and Germany were allowed to work as little as ⁠1.5 days per week in the office. The return to office full-time will start in these three countries and "progressively extend to other countries," Stellantis said. The CFE-CGC union, the main union representing the company's workers in France, opposes the plan. "This abrupt reversal . . . undermines 10 years of pioneering policy on agility," CFE-CGC union representative Laurent Oechsel told Reuters. "It ⁠creates a climate of major concern."

Reuters

BlackRock pledges $100m to train skilled workers for infrastructure boom

BlackRock is committing $100m to fund training programs for skilled trade workers in the US as part of its growing push into infrastructure investing. The initiative, called Future Builders, will support workforce development in fields such as plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, and ironworking by partnering with nonprofits and training organizations. The program aims to guide workers from pre-apprenticeship through licensing. The investment comes as the world’s largest asset manager expands its focus on private infrastructure projects, including data centres, energy systems, and transportation networks. BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink has argued that aging infrastructure and rising government deficits will require trillions of dollars in private investment in the coming years. Company research suggests demand for skilled tradespeople could exceed current training capacity, potentially slowing the construction of new infrastructure. BlackRock leaders say investing in workforce development is essential to ensure that large infrastructure projects can move forward.

Wall Street Journal

HSBC scraps work from home for client-facing staff in Hong Kong

HSBC has announced that customer-facing staff in Hong Kong must return to the office five days a week, effective April 1. An internal memo outlined that managing directors and senior staff with direct reports should be in the office at least four days a week, while other staff must attend at least three days weekly. The memo stated: “To our people managers, you are instrumental in driving good practice and experience . . .We ask you to role model the change with clear guidance.” HSBC, the largest bank in Hong Kong, employs over 20,000 staff and previously asked managing directors to work in the office four days a week to "set the tone from the top."

Business Times SG

South China Morning Post

South Korea launches pilot for free menstrual pads and expands support for women

South Korea plans to launch a pilot programme providing free menstrual pads to any woman who needs them, regardless of income, as part of broader efforts to improve women’s welfare. Under the “Public Menstrual Pad Dream” initiative, the government will install free vending machines in locations such as community centres, libraries, health clinics and industrial complexes. The programme will begin with 3 billion won in national funding this year, with plans to expand it nationwide through joint national and local funding from 2027. Existing vouchers that help low-income girls aged 9–24 purchase menstrual products will continue.

ChosunBiz

OTHER

Eid shopping frenzy hits Doha markets

As Eid al-Fitr approaches, Doha's markets are bustling with shoppers preparing for the holiday. Souq Al Ali is a popular destination, where many Qataris seek traditional men's clothing and accessories. Prices vary, with quality items available for different budgets. Khalid al-Marri, a shopper, described the experience as a family ritual, emphasising the importance of allowing children to choose their own outfits. Perfume sales are also rising as Eid approaches.

Gulf Times

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