• Russia’s central bank holds rates amid high inflation

    MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Russia's central bank held interest rates unchanged on Friday as Moscow's military offensive on Ukraine has led to stubbornly high inflation and labor shortages. The central bank raised rates to 16 percent in a series of hikes last year to cool the pace of price rises. Analysts are...
  • Asian labor dialogue champions tech solutions for disputes

    Dubai, UAE -- Ministers of labor and human resources from 16 Asian countries sending and receiving workers have called for using advanced technology in innovative initiatives aimed at resolving labor disputes and expediting verdicts. They also aimed to strengthen wage protection systems and facilitate skill mobility among participating countries. The...
  • 44% of Saudis are young, making up 78% of the labor pool

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia on Monday launched "Youth Development Strategy" to help its youth to play a critical role in the national economy, who, according to the kingdom's Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, constitute 44% of the population and 78% of the workforce...
  • International migration flows to OECD countries at record highs in 2022

    Paris, UAE -- Permanent migration to OECD countries reached 6.1 million in 2022, a 26 percent increase compared with 2021, and its highest level since at least 2005, according to International Migration Outlook 2023. Fifteen 15 out of the 38 OECD countries registered in 2022 their highest levels of permanent...
  • American economist Claudia Goldin awarded economics Nobel

    The 77-year-old Harvard professor, who is the third woman to be awarded the prestigious economics prize, was given the nod "for having advanced our understanding of women's labor market outcomes," the jury said. Goldin's research showed that female participation in the labor force had not always followed an upward trend.
  • Inflation surges in US for second successive month

    Washington, United States - Consumer inflation in the United States picked up in August for a second straight month, according to government data released Wednesday, putting the heat on policymakers as they work to lower prices. The consumer price index (CPI), a key inflation gauge, jumped 3.7 percent from a year...
  • Saudi construction sector employs 3 million workers

    GCC countries employ close to 20 million foreign workers, who are subject to vastly different conditions and wags compared to the nationals.
  • HR ministry and Bayt.com sign MoU to boost talent retention in UAE

    Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) of the UAE and job search and recruitment platform Bayt.com have signed an MoU to enhance the retention of competent talent working in the Emirates' labor market. The MoU was signed by Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of MoHRE...
  • Qatar National Bank foresees recession in US economy

    Doha, Qatar--Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group foresees a recession in the US economy during the upcoming 12 months, pointing out that the US economy continues to demonstrate its resilience despite significant headwinds from high inflation, tighter financial conditions, and an uncertain global environment. In its weekly commentary, QNB added that...
  • Italy warns against ECB decision to increase interest rates

    The central bank has hiked rates at the fastest pace ever over the past year in a bid to cool inflation after Russia's war in Ukraine sent energy and food prices surging.
  • Qatar and Iran agree to deepen ties in labor sector

    Tehran, Iran-- Qatar and Iran have agreed to bolster ties in the labor sector with the aim of raising capacities, exchanging experiences, developing a consultation mechanism between the two countries, exchanging experiences in the field of vocational and technical training and training centers. In this connection, the Qatari-Iranian Joint Committee...
  • UAE, ILO ink agreement to enhance labor inspection capabilities

    GENEVA, SWITZERLAND  -  The UAE has signed a cooperation agreement with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to collaborate in labor inspection and occupational health and safety. The agreement, signed by UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) in the presence of its minister Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, aims to...
  • Qatar and Iran to boost cooperation in labor sector

    Dubai, UAE-- Qatar and Iran intend to expand cooperation in the fields of labor, employment, and exchange of skill-training experiences. The issue was discussed during a meeting between the Iranian minister of labor and his Qatari counterpart in Geneva, emphasizing the expansion of cooperation in the fields of labor, employment....
  • US job hiring rises in May but wage gains ease

    Hiring in the United States heated up again in May, according to government data released, with the strong labor market defying expectations of a slowdown amid efforts to cool the world's biggest economy. The jobs market has been surprisingly robust even as regulators have worked to ease demand and tamp...
  • EU boosts 2023 growth outlook for region

    BRUSSELS, BELGIUM -  The European Commission boosted its 2023 economic growth outlook for the eurozone on Monday but it also raised the inflation forecast for the single currency area. The EU executive's spring forecast is more optimistic than that issued late last year, despite inflation proving "stickier than expected" in its...
  • Will sponsor Emirates Labor Market Award,  says Abu Dhabi Chamber

    ABU DHABI, UAE - The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) announced its sponsorship of the Emirates Labor Market Award, organized under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court. The award aims to recognize the...
  • Iran jails eight for asking workers to strike at gas site

    TEHRAN, IRAN - Iranian authorities have arrested eight people for "leading" a workers' strike at a key gas site in the south of the country, local media reported on Sunday. "Eight main leaders of the workers' strike in the South Pars projects have been arrested by the intelligence services," Akbar Pourat,...
  • UAE tops the world in 5 labor market competitiveness indices

    DUBAI, UAE -  The UAE has topped several global labor market indices issued by international entities and institutions in a new accomplishment that reflects UAE’s pioneering global model for development. The UAE ranked first globally in the Talent Attractiveness Index as per the Global Prosperity Index 2023, issued by the...
  • Rise of ChatGPT: GCC might lose 10 million jobs in 5 years

    Its transformative power to reshape life has left people awestruck across the world, but the technology that powers ChatGPT might put at risk about 10 million jobs in the GCC.
  • Jordanian-American committee discusses trade, food security

    AMMAN, JORDAN -  The ninth session of the Joint Jordanian-American Committee, which was held in the United States, discussed cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security and labor.Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Dana Zoubi chaired Jordan's delegation and Deputy Representative of US Trade Jayme White represented...
  • Abu Dhabi sees 40 percent drop in labor dispute cases

    ABU DHABI, UAE - Labor disputes in Abu Dhabi plunged by 40 percent in 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, local media reports said. This follows awareness efforts which contributed to strengthening the legal knowledge of workers and companies, and introducing them to their rights guaranteed by the...
  • Saudi Arabia’s Q4 2022 unemployment rate drops to 8 percent

    Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate dropped in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to government activities and private sector hiring, the kingdom's General Authority for Statistics said Thursday. Saudi Press Agency reported that despite the global economic challenges, including those prevailing in...
  • Gulf boardrooms lag in gender diversity

    The Middle East has made significant progress in advancing gender diversity in the workplace through measures such as generous parental leave policies and flexible working arrangements. While the progress is commendable, experts believe that there are still hurdles to overcome to ensure greater representation of women in executive and board...
  • Commodities hurt by a crisis of confidence

    Inflationary pressures, meanwhile, have eased by less than expected. Continued strength in the numbers has forced the Fed to turn up the hawkish rhetoric, and the market has responded by raising the expected terminal Fed funds rate while at the same time sending bond yields and the dollar higher, he...
  • Right educational system crucial to help students become an active partners in shaping UAE’s future

    “Increasing student competence in Arabic is a top priority; it's a crucial component of the UAE's national identity,” adds Sheikh Abdullah, who is also the Chairman of the Education and Human Resources Council, while highlighting the importance of keeping the standard of education system high.
  • Networking set for major transformations next year

    With an intensified focus on end user quality of experience while increasing protection from cyberattacks, IT will look to a single centralized management system with visibility across the network and the ability to configure edge-to-cloud QoS and security policies, adds Hughes.
  • Workers’ welfare key focus as GCC states strengthen, expand social protection systems, says Saudi minister

    The participating Gulf countries highlight labor reforms to ensure protection of workers at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of ILO in Singapore.
  • UN agency wants FIFA deal for World Cup labour rights role

    Doha, Qatar— After fierce criticism of the Qatar World Cup, the head of the UN labour agency on Sunday pressed FIFA's president for a greater role scrutinizing future World Cup hosts. International Labour Organisation director general Gilbert Houngbo told AFP before meeting with Gianni Infantino that Qatar has been a victim...
  • UAE-India manpower technical panel discuss collaboration

    DUBAI, UAE - The UAE-India joint technical committee for manpower held its first meeting where it explored areas of collaboration between the two countries. Both parties highlighted their keenness to enhance cooperation to ensure a safe, organized and legal transition of Indian laborers through the exchange of best practices in...
  • Temporary employment contracts between countries need enhancements to boost efficiency, production

    Sixteen member countries of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue that send and receive laborers discuss problems and welfare of the workers during high-level meetings in the UAE.
  • GCC condemns German minister’s remarks on Doha World Cup

    The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned remarks by Germany's interior minister on the World Cup due to be hosted in Doha. Qatar summoned Germany's ambassador to protest against comments made by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser casting doubt on whether the Gulf state should host the football World...
  • UK Prime Minister Truss quits, Tories vow new leader next week

    She became the shortest-lived premier in UK history. The Conservative party vowed a rapid election to have a new leader chosen by October 28, avoiding the drawn-out contest that saw Truss defeat Rishi Sunak over the summer following Boris Johnson's own resignation.
  • Australia strikes down recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital

    Striking down the previous government's decision to recognize West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Australia has said the city's status should be decided through peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and not through unilateral decisions. The country's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it supports a two-state solution.
  • Stocks fall, dollar boosted by US jobs data

    Stocks mostly slid and the dollar surged after US jobs data showed only a timid slowdown in the labor market, setting the stage for further interest rate hikes. Equity markets have taken a battering as the US Federal Reserve has made it clear it intends to continue raising interest rates...
  • UAE Ministry of Emiratization launches Customer First forum

    UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has launched the Customer First Forum, comprising virtual sessions on a weekly basis on queries of employers and employees in the private sector and citizens seeking jobs.
  • Qatar launches Tatween platform for job localization in private sector

    Qatar has launched a forum, Tatween Platform, on job localization in the private sector, with the participation of representatives of the regulators of priority sectors in the localization of jobs. Announcing the launch, labor minister Dr. Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri said the sectors involved are services, tourism...
  • In wealthy Dubai, poor get free bread from machines

    Ten vending machines were installed last week in supermarkets, with a computer touch screen allowing people to select different types: loaves for sandwiches, pitta bread or flat Indian-style chapatis.
  • UAE says global pacts can help face labor related challenges

    The UAE highlighted the significance of complying with international work standards and developing partnerships that empower countries to overcome the future challenges of the labor markets across the globe.
  • UAE ranks 1st regionally in UNDP Human Development Report

    The UAE has ranked 26th globally and first in the Arab world in the 2021/2022 Human Development Report, which is published annually by United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
  • Investing in HR technology crucial for small companies

    A cloud-based HR platform can help HR teams automate and streamline business processes to focus on attracting and nurturing talent. In addition to automating repetitive, low value activities, the right solution can also empower you to deliver better employee experiences, Nombika adds.
  • Bahrain, Saudi to cooperate in job localization, labor market regulation

    Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have discussed ways to enhance technical cooperation in the areas of job localization programs and labor market regulation, as well as plans to integrate job seekers and develop human resources. The discussion took place during a meeting between Bahrain’s Minister of Labor and Chairman of the...
  • Global youth unemployment set to slip to 73 million in 2022: UN

    The figure is still six million higher than the pre-pandemic level of 2019, with the recovery in youth unemployment lagging behind the bounceback in other age groups. Between 2019 and 2020, those aged 15 to 24 experienced a much higher percentage loss in employment than the rest of the labor...
  • Jordanian Senate examines draft investment law

    Jordan Senate's Finance and Economic Committee hosted an expert in economic affairs at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), to look into the draft law regulating the investment environment.
  • Qatar Chamber and Jordan to enhance private sector cooperation

    Qatar Chamber and the Jordanian Ministry of Labor discussed Tuesday ways to enhance bilateral relations and the private sector's role in enhancing cooperation between the two parties. This came during the meeting of Qatar Chamber First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari and Jordanian Minister of Labor Nayef Stetieh. The...
  • Qatar’s Ministry of Labor launches package of electronic services

    Qatar's Ministry of Labor says the new electronic services will streamline procedures and ensure better quality of services
  • US adds nearly 400,000 jobs in May, jobless rate 3.6 percent

    Restaurants and hotels that were decimated due to Covid-19 showed a strong recovery in May, adding 84,000 positions, the data showed.
  • Middle East construction set to build on oil prices

    Crude price rise will potentially lead to a greater surplus in local govt budgets, which can be used for construction and development investment, Gary Tracey of JLL tells TRENDS.
  • Global issues slowing down labor market recovery: ILO

    Labor incomes have not yet recovered for the majority of workers. In 2021, three in five workers lived in countries where labor incomes had not returned to the level seen in Q4 2019. The gender gap in hours worked also grew during the pandemic.
  • US economy adds 428,000 jobs in April: govt

    The United States saw another strong month of hiring in April, with the economy adding a better-than-expected 428,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remaining at a low 3.6 percent.
  • UAE reaffirms support to workers’ rights

    The UAE has reaffirmed its support for workers' rights on the Workers' International Day. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, has hailed the UAE leadership's unwavering support for the labour market by endorsing legislation conducive to enhancing the elasticity, resilience and sustainability of the labour market...
  • ‘UAE’s new labor law is a game-changer’

    Legal and business leaders tell TRENDS that the new legislation is in line with the industrial modernization roadmap that the country has undertaken.