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Middle East Edition
24th August 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Dubai adopts workforce productivity system in government entities

Dubai has launched the Workforce Productivity Measurement System, a unified platform for 32 government entities, aimed at enhancing resource allocation and decision-making. The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) announced the initiative, which follows a development process that began in 2020. The system employs advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to monitor productivity indicators and improve operational efficiency. Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of DGHR, said: "The adoption of the workforce productivity measurement system in the Dubai Government represents a strategic milestone in the development of government work and reflects Dubai's vision of building a data-driven government that employs advanced analytics to develop policies, enhance performance efficiency and enable government entities to make more accurate, proactive and impactful decisions."
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STRATEGY

HSBC clears out senior bankers

HSBC last year cut 134 senior bankers - around 10% of such employees - as part of a restructuring of its investment banking operations. This cost the bank around $67.5m in severance payments.  The layoffs mark the largest cull of HSBC’s senior ranks since records began in 2010.
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WORKFORCE

Philippines repatriates overseas Filipino workers

Forty-six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait and 17 seafarers from Oman have returned to the Philippines following an attack on the M/V Minoan Dignity. The incident occurred on August 18, when the vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz. A Filipino chief engineer was killed, while the remaining crew members were rescued. Upon arrival, the returning workers received assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), including financial aid and support for reintegration into their communities.
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LEGAL

Oman stops renewing work permits for expatriates aged over 60

Oman has ceased issuing and renewing work permits for expatriate workers over 60, reversing a 2022 policy that allowed older employees to remain in the private sector. Several expatriates reported that their renewal applications were rejected. A senior official confirmed that permits for those over 60 are no longer being issued. The change creates uncertainty for long-serving foreign workers who expected to continue their employment. Oman's Ministry of Labour has not publicly stated an age threshold for work-permit renewals on its website, leaving many expatriates concerned about their residency status.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

UAE's 24,000 educators to undergo special training

The Ministry of Education is launching a five-day Specialised Training Week from August 24 to 28, aimed at preparing over 24,000 educators in the UAE for the upcoming academic year. The initiative will feature more than 80 targeted programmes focusing on AI, inclusive education, and data-driven assessment. Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri said: "The Specialised Training Week serves as a strategic national platform to integrate artificial intelligence." The training will be delivered both in person and remotely, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for all participants.
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TAX

Oman embraces e-invoicing revolution

Oman is advancing its economic diversification under Vision 2040 by introducing e-invoicing, a key element in modernising its tax administration. The initiative aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the tax ecosystem. E-invoicing facilitates structured electronic invoicing, improving transaction authenticity and reducing manual errors. It benefits businesses by streamlining processes and enhancing cash flow management. Governmental advantages include improved tax transparency and revenue collection. However, successful implementation requires organisational readiness and collaboration across various departments.
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INTERNATIONAL

Young adults in the US are increasingly wary of AI

Young adults in the US workforce are increasingly sceptical about artificial intelligence, fearing that advances in the technology will precipitate widespread job losses. For the first time, most adults under 30 (55%) say they are more concerned than excited about AI; across age groups, about half or more say they’re more concerned than excited about the technology. The vast majority of Americans (71%) believe AI will lead to fewer jobs in the US over the next two decades; 5% said AI would lead to more jobs over that time period.

Better onboarding could help retain Thai employees

More than half of Thai employees rate their onboarding experience as average or poor, according to a survey by Robert Walters Thailand. Only 15% found it excellent, while 35% rated it average and 16% poor. Punyanuch Sirisawadwattana, Country Manager, noted that weak manager support and unclear roles hinder retention. She emphasised the need for greater manager accountability, clearer expectations, and stronger human connections. Punyanuch said: "Helping employees move from learning to contributing during those 90 days is very important." She added: “Technology can make onboarding very efficient and fast, but it should be seen as a support rather than to replace human connection.” 

Uber fined €825m for automating driver suspensions

Uber has been fined €825m by the Dutch Data Protection Authority for breaching Europe's general data protection regulation (GDPR) by deactivating driver accounts through automated systems without proper notification. The penalty is the second-largest under GDPR, behind only a €1.2bn fine ⁠imposed on Meta by Ireland in 2023 for unlawfully transferring European Facebook users’ data to the United States. “We strongly disagree with this decision and disproportionate fine,” an Uber spokesperson ⁠said, adding that the company's policies include both human reviews and opportunities for drivers to dispute platform suspensions. “Uber has committed ‌serious infringements” by deactivating driver accounts without ‌warning or human involvement, the Dutch regulator’s deputy chair Monique Verdier said. “From one moment to the next [drivers] no longer ‌had any income . . .  A computer should not make decisions on its own that have (such) major consequences.”

Farmers in Japan adapt to deadly heatwaves

As heatwaves intensify, Japanese farmers are shifting their work hours to the night to protect their crops, their livestock - and themselves. Motoaki Iijima, a flower farmer, now harvests gerberas after dark to avoid extreme daytime temperatures that can exceed 40°C. He said: "The hours around dusk are really precious. That's when we can be outside . . . We've gradually become nocturnal. It's about protecting our bodies, and ultimately, our lives." The trend is not unique to Japan; farmers globally are adapting to similar conditions. In 2024, Japan recorded 59 agricultural worker deaths due to heat.
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OTHER

US regulator approves first drug to treat a cause of narcolepsy

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Orzeyful, or oveporexton, a new treatment for narcolepsy, which affects about 200,000 people in the US and 3m globally. The drug targets the orexin pathway, which is crucial for regulating sleep and wake cycles. Takeda, the drug's developer, conducted studies with over 270 participants, which demonstrated improved daytime alertness and reduced cataplexy episodes. Takeda chief executive Julie Kim noted that Orzeyful could pave the way for treatments for other sleep disorders. The drug is currently under review for potential addictive properties by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
 
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