Earlier briefings from the Horizon GCC newsroom.
Inspections by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation found 15% fewer private-sector labour violations in the first half of 2026, with illegal hiring and unpaid wages still the most common offences.
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Dubai has approved a wide overhaul of how its labour market is managed, using data and artificial intelligence to speed up work permits and match skills to demand.
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The midday work ban that ran through the summer has ended for 2026, but the wider occupational heat stress policy remains the standard employers are measured against.
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Etihad Airways has signalled plans to add around 7,000 employees by 2035 as it expands its fleet and network, adding to already tight competition for aviation and hospitality talent in the Gulf.
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Amendments to Qatar's labour law introduce changes to notice, end-of-service and enforcement provisions that employers hiring into Doha should review before their next contract cycle.
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Kuwait has set out the conditions under which private-sector workers on Article 18 visas can move employer before completing three years, including where the current employer consents.
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Under Qiwa rules, a work permit can be cancelled where an employee has been outside the Kingdom for three consecutive months, with consequences for both the employer file and the worker.
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The time a worker has to leave or change status after a visa is cancelled varies between GCC countries, and getting it wrong creates overstay fines that usually land on the employer.
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Work permits in the UAE are issued against defined skill levels tied to qualifications and role, and the level you apply for affects fees, quotas and the documents you need.
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Demand is concentrated in aviation, construction, healthcare and technology, while candidates are negotiating harder on allowances than on base pay.
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