AGP Executive Report

Employer Recognition: Zain Group was named the world’s top telecom employer in Forbes’ 2026 rankings for a second year, while Zain Jordan also earned a regional Best Workplaces ranking. AI and Jobs: The IMF warned AI could reshape 40% of jobs, with Egypt’s workforce facing questions over how to prepare; in Israel, IAI has slowed hiring despite demand, while Microsoft is cutting research and development roles. Hiring Pressures: Hays reported a weakening permanent-jobs market, underscoring a tougher environment for job seekers. Workforce Access: Saudi Arabia waived work-permit fees for eligible Yemeni workers, while Türkiye topped the OECD list for young people not in work, education or training. New Jobs: Morocco’s new battery plant has recruited more than 400 local employees, including engineers, technicians and production workers.

Hiring Outlook: Recruitment firm Hays reported a 7% drop in permanent-placement fees in its latest quarter, citing fragile hiring; it is also reviewing several operations, including in the UAE. Safer Job Searches: Indian missions warned UAE residents about agencies collecting fees for overseas jobs and visas without delivering services. Check requirements with official embassies, and be wary of anyone promising visa approval. Migrant Worker Policy: Saudi Arabia has waived work-permit fees for eligible Yemeni workers and introduced a new visa scheme for Yemenis. Worker Rights: A Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to death over a social media comment; his appeal is pending. Skills and Opportunity: Iraq has invited international firms to invest in and develop Mosul airport, while a Jordan initiative aims to strengthen refugees’ resilience through employment.

Migrant Worker Safety: Two Filipinos remained in intensive care after the deadly Riyadh airport attack. Philippine officials are monitoring injured workers and urging citizens in Saudi Arabia to avoid potential targets. Saudi Work Permits: Saudi Arabia has opened a two-month process for undocumented Yemeni workers to regularize their status through Qiwa and Musaned. Eligible workers can transfer to employers, including those whose residency permits expired or who were reported absent from work. Skills and Fair Pay: An Egyptian labour-sector interview highlighted skills training as key to the country’s future workforce and called for fair wages.

Egypt’s Skills Agenda: Former manpower minister Mohamed Saafan urged young people to build practical skills, pursue vocational training and entrepreneurship, saying fair wages are a shared responsibility of government and employers. Saudi Work Permits: Skilled foreign workers can now process family visas using their work permits, easing a key barrier for expatriate employees. Dubai Vacancies: Dubai has launched a government jobs website to help applicants find and apply for public-sector roles. AI Skills Gap: New research finds 83% of employers prioritize AI skills, but only 29% say their organizations are equipped to use them effectively.

Saudi Work Visas: Skilled foreign workers can process family visas with their work permits, while a new two-month scheme lets undocumented Yemenis regularise their status, including through six-month visa extensions. Iraq Agriculture: The government, FAO and World Bank launched a project to improve farm management and dairy value chains, aiming to lift productivity, strengthen commercial links and build climate resilience. Aviation Hiring: The Flydubai co-pilot attack is likely to sharpen scrutiny of pilot recruitment and aviation safety rules. Regional Labour Mobility: The ILO has called for stronger Africa-Arab cooperation on worker mobility.

Skills and Hiring: Egypt is working with LinkedIn to map labour-market needs and skills gaps, aiming to steer training toward sectors offering quality, sustainable jobs. Aviation Careers: Oman’s new aviation partnerships plan to build local expertise in aircraft maintenance, engineering and manufacturing, creating a broader base for specialist roles. Expat Support: Saudi Arabia is easing family-visa processing for skilled foreign workers with work permits, a change that could make the Kingdom more attractive to international talent. Public-Sector Jobs: Dubai has launched a government jobs website, with vacancies open to applicants including Kenyans. Workplace Wellbeing: An Arab Youth Centre study found 94.8% of respondents see youth mental health as a shared responsibility, and linked psychological safety with stronger innovation and performance at work. Overseas Recruitment: Sri Lanka held a job fair in Jaffna connecting applicants with licensed agencies and overseas roles, alongside guidance on safe recruitment and vocational training.

Saudi Workforce Mobility: Skilled foreign workers can now process family visas alongside work permits, while lower family-visa costs may make relocation easier for expat talent. Hiring Outlook: A new development in Latakia is projected to create 40,000 jobs, offering a major employment boost if delivered. Workplace Wellbeing: A new regional discussion urges employers to move beyond stigma and provide stronger mental-health support at work. HR Spotlight: AJEX was named among Saudi Arabia’s best workplaces for 2026.

Workplace Wellbeing: A new discussion is challenging stigma around mental health at work in the Middle East, putting employee support on the HR agenda. Saudi Job Seekers: Pakistan’s FIA says it recovered Rs 450,000 from agents in a Saudi job-fraud case; check recruiters and offers carefully. Jobs & Growth: The World Bank is urging governments to turn a 93% revenue rise into better jobs and services, with investment in human capital. Regional Outlook: The Bank forecasts the Middle East economy will contract 2.1% in 2026 amid the Iran war, adding uncertainty for employers and job seekers. AI at Work: A report says 90% of Saudi firms are meeting AI return-on-investment goals, as attention shifts to scaling adoption. Worker Mobility: Saudi Arabia has eased family-visa rules for workers from Pakistan and other countries.

Aviation Operations: Swissport and Riyadh Air will establish Saudi Arabia’s first centralized load-control center, expanding specialist infrastructure in the kingdom’s fast-growing aviation sector. Talent Mobility: Saudi Arabia has eased family-visa rules for foreign workers and listed four professional groups eligible for Exceptional Talent Residency, offering skilled expatriates new routes to bring family members and build careers in the kingdom.

UAE Skills Gap: AI, cybersecurity and sales roles are among the hardest to fill, highlighting strong demand for candidates with digital and commercial skills. Saudi Arabia Work Permits: The Kingdom has eased family visa rules for skilled expatriates and named four professional groups eligible for Exceptional Talent Residency, potentially making relocation more attractive. Aviation Hiring: Flydubai’s recruitment process is under scrutiny after an accused co-pilot joined during a major hiring drive, raising questions about crew screening. Jordan Jobs: An Aqaba employment initiative signed 470 contracts with private-sector employers, offering a concrete boost to local hiring.

Pakistan Construction: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal called for public-private investment to help the sector expand beyond domestic demand and support exports. Iraq’s Jobs Push: The central bank says the dinar’s devaluation is intended to boost local industry and create opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, while the government and World Bank are discussing a five-year partnership focused on job creation, private-sector growth and skills. Morocco Aerospace: Airbus says its local operations support more than 1,200 jobs, as suppliers deepen production and Safran plans to assemble 300 engines a year in the country. Saudi Expatriate Rules: The Kingdom has eased family entry for skilled foreign workers and named professional groups eligible for Exceptional Talent Residency. Flydubai Hiring Checks: The airline faces scrutiny after an accused co-pilot joined during a recruitment drive; reports say a previous employer had restricted his flying, raising questions about screening practices.

Saudi Hiring: Skilled expatriates can now process family entry visas alongside their own work visas. Eligible dependants include spouses, sons under 25 and unmarried daughters, making relocation easier. Talent Mobility: Saudi Arabia has set eligibility rules for Exceptional Talent Residency across four fields: research, healthcare, science and executive leadership. Skills Development: Abu Dhabi launched an AI training programme for government and public-sector workers, as the UAE expands investment in advanced technology. Recruitment Standards: Flydubai’s hiring drive is under scrutiny after reports that a co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a flight joined during the airline’s pilot recruitment expansion. Regional Outlook: The World Bank forecasts Middle East output will shrink 2.1% in 2026 amid the Iran war, adding pressure to an already uncertain jobs market.

Nuclear Diplomacy: US Vice President JD Vance told Reuters Iran must make a “meaningful” reduction in nuclear enrichment to end the seven-month war, even as Washington says it’s unsure how Tehran decides in talks. US Politics & Public Safety: Trump’s garbled “take out Los Angeles and San Diego” line sparked bipartisan backlash in California, with leaders calling it dangerous and unacceptable. Gaza Politics: Israel blocked Palestinian election officials from entering Gaza and East Jerusalem to prepare for November 28 legislative polls, raising fears of another delay. Yemen & Shipping: Saudi-backed Yemeni forces reported capturing Mocha near Bab-el-Mandeb as Houthis retreat; analysts warn shuttle oil operations keep costs high even if shipments recover. Iraq-UN Jobs & Skills: Iraq and the UN launched a 2025-2029 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in Baghdad, with working groups covering employment, economic development, and monitoring. Saudi Labor Policy: Saudi Arabia moved to regularize Yemeni residents and expand family entry options for skilled workers, signaling continued tightening and restructuring of expat and residency rules.

Yemen Conflict & Jobs Impact: Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces say they retook Mocha and Dhubab and seized key positions near Bab al-Mandeb, while launching a “strategic offensive” toward Houthi-held Sanaa—raising pressure on Red Sea shipping and regional labor markets. Regional Security Pact: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to activate collective-defense commitments under the Mecca Defense Alliance, with swift force deployment to Saudi Arabia amid ongoing threats. UN Diplomacy: UN chief António Guterres praised Pakistan’s mediation in the US-Iran track, citing the Islamabad MoU, a ceasefire and a negotiation framework. Aviation & Hiring Vetting: A court heard Iranian nationals allegedly spied on journalists in the UK using surveillance and AI tools, underscoring security screening risks for cross-border hiring. Saudi Family Visas: Saudi Arabia updated rules so highly skilled expats can process family visas alongside work-visa procedures, easing relocation for spouses and eligible children. Business & Investment: Eagle Hills signed framework agreements to develop residential and tourism projects in Syria, aiming to create employment and enterprise opportunities.

Yemen Conflict: Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces say they’ve retaken Dhubab district positions near Bab el-Mandeb and launched a “strategic offensive” toward Sanaa, while the Houthis claim missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets including Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport and Aramco facilities—raising fresh risks for Red Sea shipping. Oil & Markets: Oil prices slid about $2 as Middle East crude exports rose above pre-war levels and G7 pledged a 100m-barrel diesel/crude release, though supply fears remain. AI Skills & Jobs: Qatar ranked 5th in MENA and 46th globally in Coursera’s AI-Human Skills Synergy Index, citing national upskilling programs for government employees and a $20bn Brookfield-Qai push for AI infrastructure. Security & Aviation Careers: The Flydubai attempted attack case keeps expanding, with reports saying the Omani co-pilot planned months ahead and targeted Ben Gurion—fueling scrutiny of hiring, vetting, and airline security practices. Energy Costs & Work: Electricity demand in ASEAN is forecast to rise 5.4% annually to 2030, with supply risks and LNG/coal reliance likely pushing power costs—an indirect pressure on hiring and business budgets.

Yemen War & Jobs Impact: Yemen’s government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, launched “Dawn of Yemen,” with reports of 100 coalition jets and claims of gains around Bab el-Mandeb, including Dhubab airport and road control—raising fresh pressure on Red Sea shipping and regional hiring. Middle East Oil & Hiring Risk: Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser warned global oil stockpiles are “scarily thin” as attacks disrupt supply routes, keeping energy costs and business uncertainty high. UAE Hiring/Travel Security: Flydubai’s co-pilot accused of a terror attempt told UAE interrogators he planned to crash into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport or a tower; the case is also spotlighting airline screening and workforce risk. Egypt Press Crackdown: Egypt detained all six journalists from independent Matsadaash, with phones and computers seized—another blow to media jobs and press freedom. UAE/Saudi Private Sector: UAE non-oil PMI held at a strong 55.3 while Saudi non-oil PMI rose to 55.3, with modest hiring gains but improving demand. US Labor Signal: US unemployment edged up to 4.2% as jobs growth slowed to 29,000, shaping hiring expectations across markets. Workforce Moves Abroad: Latvia’s airBaltic is preparing adjustments affecting 500–700 jobs after restructuring pressures tied to the Iran-war fallout. Skills & Training: The US Embassy in Cairo opened an American Corner in Mansoura offering English, tech, and job-skills training.