EH Insights

Berkeley Services has secured Gold for Best Community Impact Initiative of the Year at the Employee Happiness Awards 2026, recognising its commitment to workforce wellbeing, community engagement and responsible business practices across the UAE. Berkeley Services has been awarded Gold in the Best Community Impact Initiative of the Year category at the Employee Happiness Awards (EHA) 2026, recognising its efforts to support employee wellbeing, community engagement and respon

Malaysia is developing a basic salary framework starting at RM2,500 per month for graduates and semi-skilled workers, with guidelines targeted for June 2027. The initiative aims to align wages more closely with qualifications, occupational categories and professional skills. Image Courtesy: Magnific Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) is finalising a new basic salary framework starting at RM2,500 per month for graduates and semi-skilled workers, with publicatio

Singapore will introduce changes to its work pass application process from October 29, 2026, including automated passport information, simplified application forms and updated document submission requirements to reduce administrative work for employers and applicants. Image Courtesy: Magnific Singapore is set to introduce changes to its work pass application process from October 29, 2026, with improvements designed to simplify data entry and supporting document submissions.

The UAE has strengthened its position in the 2026 Global Pension Index, raising its overall score to 70.0 and securing A grades for pension adequacy and integrity. The improvement highlights progress in retirement security, social protection and long-term financial wellbeing. Image Courtesy: Magnific The UAE has recorded a significant improvement in the 2026 Marsh CFA Institute Global Pension Index, with its overall score increasing from 64.9 in 2025 to 70.0 in 2026. The imp

Aramex has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme to launch a global employee initiative, enabling teams across the Middle East, Africa and Asia to support vulnerable communities through the ShareTheMeal platform. Image Courtesy: Aramex Global logistics and transportation company Aramex has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to introduce an employee-led humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable communities and addressing

Infobip has appointed Mirta Pađen Lee as Vice President of People as the company advances its AI-first transformation, placing people strategy, leadership and organisational development at the centre of its next growth phase. Image Courtesy: Infobip Global cloud communications company Infobip has appointed Mirta Pađen Lee as Vice President of People, marking an important leadership development as the organisation advances its AI-first transformation. The appointment places

A Saudi appeals court has upheld a ruling cancelling salary deductions imposed on a visually impaired employee, highlighting the importance of accessible attendance systems and fair workplace policies. Image Courtesy: Magnific A Saudi Arabian administrative appeals court has upheld a ruling overturning salary deductions imposed on a visually impaired employee who was unable to register his attendance through a fingerprint-based system. The decision highlights the importanc

Malaysia's Budget 2027 outlines plans to develop 200,000 AI-skilled individuals, train and certify 5,000 AI professionals, and support 4,000 MSMEs in adopting artificial intelligence and automation. Image Courtesy: Magnific Malaysia is placing artificial intelligence skills at the centre of its future workforce agenda, with Budget 2027 setting a target of developing 200,000 AI-skilled individuals. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to prepare employees and busin

The UAE shares the highest position with India in Edelman's 2026 workplace trust findings, recording 88% employee confidence and a comparatively positive experience of organisational transformation. Image Courtesy: Magnific What makes employees feel confident about their workplace, particularly when organisations are introducing new technologies, evolving their strategies and reshaping the way people work? For employees in the UAE, trust appears to be a defining strength.

Saudi Arabia has introduced measures allowing eligible skilled foreign workers to bring family members while employment visa procedures are being completed, supporting a smoother relocation experience and improved quality of life. Image Courtesy: Magnific Starting a new job in another country often means planning more than a career move. For professionals relocating with families, the timing of visas, travel arrangements and residence permits can be just as important as the

Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre has signed MoUs with Mawaheb, ThinkProp and Abu Dhabi School of Management to support broker training, certification and sector talent development. Image Courtesy: Official Communication Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre has launched the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Broker Transformation Course, a new mandatory licensing curriculum designed to upskill real estate brokers and prepare them to act as trusted advisors in the emirate’s growing real estate market.

The UAE's Wage Protection System is placing greater emphasis on early alerts and timely payroll compliance, helping employers address salary delays while strengthening financial security and workplace confidence for employees. Image Courtesy: Official Communication For employees, a salary arriving on time is more than a routine bank notification. It supports financial planning, household commitments and the confidence that comes from knowing when to expect their earnings.

Employees across Southeast Asia could see salary growth remain steady in 2027, with Aon projecting an average 5.2% increase. Vietnam is expected to lead the region, while demand for AI, data and technology talent continues to shape employers’ pay and hiring priorities. Image Courtesy: Magnific What will pay growth look like for employees across Southeast Asia in 2027? For many, the answer is steady rather than dramatic. Aon projects that organisations across Southeast A

Professionals in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the world’s most optimistic about AI, according to Korn Ferry’s latest workforce research. But while employees report greater efficiency, many are also facing heavier workloads, raising a bigger question for employers about whether AI is actually creating better work. Image Courtesy: Magnific Employees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are embracing artificial intelligence with some of the highest levels of optimism globally,

Saudi employers face tighter rules for counting nationals under Nitaqat, with Qiwa introducing limits linked to employees’ contract histories. Saudi workers must meet contract, salary and employment-status requirements to continue counting towards an employer’s Saudisation levels. Image Courtesy: Business Destination Saudi employers will need to pay closer attention to employees’ contract histories under tightened rules governing how Saudi nationals are counted within the Ni

A new partnership between ENOC Group and the Ministry of Community Empowerment will connect eligible social welfare beneficiaries with employment, practical training and workplace exposure, while giving younger participants early access to career development programmes. Image Courtesy: Official Communication A new UAE partnership is looking to turn social support into longer-term employment opportunity by creating clearer pathways into the workforce for eligible Emiratis

Singapore is putting HR capability at the centre of its future-of-work strategy. Five new recommendations spanning career opportunities, AI adoption, workforce planning and professional HR standards aim to benefit more than two million workers; with larger employers eventually required to have a certified HR professional. Image Courtesy: Magnific The future of HR in Singapore is being given a much bigger job. Rather than treating human resources primarily as an administrativ

Some of the employees closest to burnout may also be the ones still delivering their best work. Máire Crouchman explores why strong output can sometimes conceal rising cognitive and emotional strain; and why sustainable performance requires leaders to look beyond whether the work is getting done. Some of the people closest to burnout are often the least obvious. They are still hitting targets. Still answering quickly. Still staying late. Still volunteering to take somethi

Singapore is giving workers more than AI lessons. Over 200 courses, free access to premium AI tools and integrated career support are being rolled out to help people build practical skills as technology reshapes jobs and workplace expectations. Image Courtesy: Magnific Learning about AI is one thing. Having the opportunity to actually use it at work is another. Singapore is bringing the two closer together with the launch of more than 200 curated AI courses, accompanied by c

Mars has appointed Chuman Dev as People & Organisation Director across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Growth, extending his regional leadership responsibilities across five markets. Image Courtesy: LinkedIn The path to senior HR leadership is rarely about mastering just one part of the employee experience. Increasingly, people leaders are expected to understand talent, culture, business strategy and organisational change; often across several very different ma