Persuasion, Not Laws, Needed to Encourage Spoken Arabic
STEVE ROYSTON: It’s a debate with no end, apparently. How to encourage ‘guest workers’ to become more fluent in Arabic. Is legislation necessary?
No World Cup in Qatar Trade Unions Demand
International trade unions have called on world soccer body FIFA to deprive Qatar of its right to host the 2022 World Cup because it has failed to end what they term 21st century slavery and adopt international labor standards for the Gulf state’s more than one million foreign workers.
JAMES M. DORSEY: International trade unions have called on world soccer body FIFA to deprive Qatar of its right to host the 2022 World Cup.
Stiff New Visa Penalties Announced in Saudi Arabia
ROB L. WAGNER: Social media channels in the Kingdom have been alive with chit chat surrounding the new visa rules.
Qatar Cup Signals Wider Change to Labour Rights?
Qatar's soccer league, in a break with a reluctance among Gulf states to give their largely expatriate majorities a sense of belonging, is next month organizing the region's first cup for foreign workers' teams.
JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar’s soccer league is next month organizing the region’s first cup for foreign workers’ teams – and is part of an effort to improve working and living conditions in the country.
‘Kneel at the Altar of Productivity’. Or Perhaps Don’t.
STEVE ROYSTON: Workers in the Middle East may be forgiven for pointing out the double standards of Western economists when discussing the issue of productivity
The UAE’s Foreign Ownership Dilemma – Jobs & Security
If the UAE wants to continue to attract foreign investment, it will need to open up its corporate ownership structures. This is the way to create new jobs that can be taken up by the growing number of young UAE nationals.
‘Oh, How It Used To Be’: The Fate Awaiting Yahoo
STEVE ROYSTON: As Yahoo slips into ‘tech-middle-age’ its leaders must adapt to a reality or face inevitable extinction
Strike: Pressure on Saudi Expat Workers Telling
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A substantial number of expat workers went on strike in Riyadh this week. It’s indicative of larger issues beneath the surface
Culture: What Really Drives Middle East Companies?
STEVE ROYSTON: An enormous amount of time, money and energy is wasted trying to ‘change corporate culture’. But what are the characteristics of a Middle East organisation?
Fake Engineers Nabbed: But What Have They Built?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The authorities in Saudi Arabia have uncovered more than 1,000 engineers who have false certificates. No word, though, on which projects they worked on.
‘Conscription’: Is It Really the Answer to Saudi Job Woes?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A novel approach to solving Saudi Arabia’s ‘national employment’ issue has been suggested by a writer on an Arabic daily
Worker Deaths: Trade Unions Finger Point Qatar
JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar has repeatedly denied it exploits foreign labour. “The Ministry has received no complaint of forced labour and it is inconceivable that such a thing exists in Qatar…”
U.S Fines: Another Blow to Morocco’s Tourism Industry
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: As if the fall-out from the battle with low cost airlines isn’t bad enough the Moroccan authorities have now picked a fight with the U.S Department of Transportation
UAE and Waste: On Your Bike You Old Mucker
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Where in blue blazes is somebody who’s making his living rooting through bins going to find Dhs 1,000 to pay a fine?
Saudi Salary Racism: What’s the Colour of Your Passport?
LAYLAH: Are Saudi employees not seen as efficient or highly trained as the western nurses are and thus not deserving as much pay?
Iran Threat Neutered as UAE Pipeline Starts Pumping
In the short term the new pipeline is likely to increase the already high levels of distrust between the UAE (and Gulf in general) and Iran.
Dubai Expo 2020: Worth Fighting For
Should Dubai win Expo 2020 it would be a significant, significant boost to the city – economically, socially and in terms of global recognition.
Most Admired: UAE, Turkey Top Arab Youth Survey
FRANCIS MATTHEW: This regional popularity is an asset and the UAE should make every effort to nurture the conditions that built this reputation.
Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’
JAMES DORSEY: According to the ITUC “workers are dying in Qatar as they build World Cup stadiums, suffering large scale exploitation every day.
Labour: Qatar Trade Union Gets the Go Ahead
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Qatar is to allow the formation of trade unions. In addition, it will end the current system of sponsorship for foreign workers.
