ManpowerGroup

Private-sector hiring in the UAE fell 4% in Q2, the first decline in over four years, driven by economic uncertainty linked to the Iran war. Companies in the Gulf region, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, reduced hiring activity, with a quarter of firms planning job cuts as conflict persists.

AI chatbots are increasingly used for white-collar job interviews, with companies like Experis, Coinbase, and Zapier adopting the technology. A Greenhouse survey found 63% of US job seekers had AI interviews in the past year, sparking debate over bias and candidate experience.

The number of UAE companies planning staff cuts has tripled to 25% in three months, driven by geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Larger companies remain optimistic about hiring, while smaller businesses and the logistics/trade sector face reduced hiring plans due to the Strait of Hormuz closure.