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Middle East Edition
23rd July 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

AI will not trigger a collapse in ‌employment, Adecco says

Denis ​Machuel, chief executive of Zurich-based Adecco Group, the world's largest staffing company, has told Reuters that AI will not precipitate a collapse in ‌employment despite concerns the technology will displace large numbers of workers. "AI is bringing a massive evolution in the world of work, but ​a job apocalypse is not on the horizon," Machuel said. "It's more about changing roles ‌and ⁠tasks than eliminating jobs." He said employers needed to reinvent ​the entry-level roles that are however disappearing so AI can complement them, observing that upskilling, reskilling, and closer collaboration among ​companies, governments and education systems was essential.
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WORKFORCE

Monday.com to cut 20% of global workforce

Israeli technology giant monday.com has announced a restructuring that will result in the laying-off of 620 employees, or about 20% of the company's global workforce. The decision is part of a product transformation aimed at developing an AI-based work platform. The company said it is flattening its organisational structure to enhance decision-making speed and efficiency. “This is the most painful decision we have made since founding monday.com – yet we are certain it is the right one. We made it. We own it. And we take full responsibility for it,” Monday.com co-founders Roy Mann and Eran Zinman wrote in a letter to employees. “The organisation we built for our previous chapter is not the organisation that fits the new AI era.”
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STRATEGY

UAE firms partner with Chinese law firm

UAE firms have formed a strategic partnership with a Chinese law firm to enhance cross-border business operations. The Corporate Group (TCG), Ahmed AlRaeesi Advocates & Legal Consultants, and Win Long Guangdong Law Firm (WLG) signed a memorandum of understanding in Guangzhou. The collaboration aims to provide comprehensive support for market entry, corporate structuring, and regulatory compliance for businesses expanding between the UAE, GCC, and China. Prof. Mao Delong of WLG said the partnership would aim to foster confidence for companies seeking international expansion, while Ayman Al Awadhi of TCG emphasised the importance of institutional trust in successful market entry.
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HIRING

Oman streamlines OFW hiring with unified system

Oman has introduced a centralised medical examination and visa processing system for Filipino workers. The initiative aims to streamline recruitment and enhance worker protection. The Ministry of Labour's new procedures require workers to register at an accredited medical centre for examinations and visa processing. Alice Visperas, Labour Attaché at the Migrant Workers Office in Oman, welcomed the initiative, saying it reflects a commitment to safe and efficient deployment. The costs will be covered by recruitment agencies, reducing financial burdens on workers. Future advisories will provide more details on medical requirements.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

‘Our Identity’ program aims to develop Saudi artistic talent

The Saudi Society for Culture and Arts has partnered with the Art Avenue Society to launch the "Our Identity" programme, supported by the Misk Foundation. The initiative aims to enhance artistic talent and reinforce national identity through specialised training. Khalid Al-Baz, director general of the Saudi Society, and Ibrahim Al-Hakimi, chair of the Art Avenue Society, signed the memorandum. The programme will offer 72 hours of training over six weeks, equipping participants with essential skills and awarding certificates upon completion. Both organisations aim to advance Saudi Arabia's cultural development in line with Vision 2030.
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INTERNATIONAL

EEOC moves to scrap employer reporting of worker race and sex data

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed to eliminate the EEO-1 reporting requirement, which mandates that employers submit data on the race and sex of their workers. The EEOC has previously used the information to probe bias complaints filed by individual workers and to determine if companies exhibit a pattern of discriminatory conduct. EEOC chair Andrea Lucas, a Trump administration ​appointee, said that sorting workers by race and sex can encourage discrimination, including against majority groups such ⁠as ⁠white people and men. "The EEO data ⁠reports stand in direct tension ​with (federal law's) requirement that employment practices be colourblind," Lucas said. Kalpana Kotagal, the lone Democratic member of the commission who voted to reject the proposal, said: "These efforts should ⁠be seen for what they are: an attempt to weaken equal employment opportunity, and to undermine progress for women and historically marginalised communities." 

Italian unions agree workers' rights deal with Amazon

Italy's Filt CGIL, ​Fit CISL and Uiltrasporti unions have signed ‌an agreement with Amazon covering leave, employee rights and video surveillance. The unions said 57 local sites were included ​in the deal with Amazon Italia Transport and Amazon ​Italia Logistica. It has ​been agreed that video surveillance cannot be used for disciplinary ‌purposes, and workers ⁠have been granted the right to take parental leave in increments as small as a single hour. The deal was hailed by the unions as the first such national collective agreement reached with Amazon in any country. 

Aldi reaches proposed A$55m settlement with over 30,000 workers

Aldi has proposed a A$55m settlement to address claims of underpayment in a class action lawsuit involving over 30,000 workers. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association had said that Aldi directed employees to work before and after their shifts without pay. Aldi has already compensated approximately A$28.9m to affected workers and anticipates an additional A$26.3m payout, along with A$1.5m for legal fees. SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said: "This is a major result for tens of thousands of current and former Aldi workers." The court will review the settlement in October.

New app connects construction workers to jobs

The Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has launched the UP Digital Labour Chowk mobile app to connect construction workers with job opportunities and government welfare schemes. The platform allows workers to access employment information and benefits they are eligible for. Employers can register to find skilled labour directly. Sumit Kumar, Deputy Labour Commissioner, encouraged both workers and employers to download the app from the Google Play Store and promote its use to maximise its benefits. "We want to ensure that eligible beneficiaries can take advantage of this digital initiative," he said.
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OTHER

American Heart Association says up to five cups of coffee a day is safe

The American Heart Association (AHA) has said that drinking up to five 8-oz cups of coffee a day, or around 400mgs of caffeine, is safe for most adults and may reduce the risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. The scientific statement, published in Circulation, reviewed dozens of studies and concluded that evidence supporting coffee’s safety and potential cardiovascular benefits has strengthened over time. The AHA said the greatest benefits appear to come from consuming two to four cups of coffee daily, while noting that individual responses to caffeine vary. Researchers also cautioned that adding large amounts of sugar, syrups, or high-fat creamers can offset potential health benefits, and advised consumers to avoid high-caffeine energy drinks, which have been linked to irregular heart rhythms and high blood pressure. 
 
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