New jobs incoming: UAE employers plan strategic hiring in Q4

New jobs incoming: UAE employers plan strategic hiring spree in Q4

Employers are expanding strategically, investing in new roles, and responding to skill shifts, all while balancing automation

Nida Sohail

01 October, 2025

New jobs incoming: UAE employers plan strategic hiring spree in Q4

Image credit: Getty Images

UAE businesses are heading into the final quarter of 2025 with strong hiring intent, according to the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The quarterly survey, which is widely used as a global bellwether of labor market trends, captures the employment expectations of 525 UAE-based employers across sectors.

The headline figure: a Net Employment Outlook of 45 per cent, a clear indication that many organisations in the UAE are planning to increase headcount, even in a climate shaped by economic uncertainty, technological transformation, and evolving workforce needs.

This figure represents a three per cent dip compared to the previous quarter, but it remains significantly positive, underscoring resilient business confidence. As companies in the UAE adapt to shifting market dynamics, digital innovation, and talent demands, they are prioritising recruitment for both immediate operational needs and long-term capability building.

The Q4 2025 outlook reflects an employment market that is growing, but with discipline. Employers are expanding strategically, investing in new roles, and responding to skill shifts, all while balancing automation, restructuring pressures, and regional economic conditions.

Company expansion remains the top driver of job growth

Of the employers planning to hire in the fourth quarter of 2025, 46 per cent say that their company is expanding in size, which remains the top reason for job creation, consistent with the previous quarter.

Beyond overall business growth, other reasons for staffing increases include:

34 per cent are adding staff due to new ventures and business initiatives.
32 per cent are hiring to acquire new or updated skills, in order to remain competitive in a changing market.
29 per cent report that diversity and inclusion efforts are driving the creation of new roles.
27 per cent are responding to evolving service needs and customer demands.
24 per cent cite specific projects, and another 24 per cent point to technological advancements as reasons for adding talent.
12 per cent are backfilling roles that were opened before the last quarter.
11 per cent are replacing staff who left during the last quarter.

No respondents cited “other reasons,” suggesting that hiring remains tied to concrete, strategic business developments.

Skill redundancies and automation drive headcount reductions

While a majority of employers are planning to hire, some are also preparing for reductions in staffing. Among these companies, the most significant challenges are linked to changing skill requirements and automation:

30 per cent of employers say changing skill needs have made certain roles redundant.
29 per cent attribute reductions to automation and process improvements that are consolidating responsibilities.
27 per cent cite restructuring or downsising initiatives.
25 per cent are adjusting headcount to match current market demand.
21 per cent say that project-based roles have come to an end.
18 per cent note that market shifts are reducing demand for their services or products.
18 per cent also mention broader economic challenges impacting workforce needs.
14 per cent report voluntary departures where backfilling is not planned.
5 per cent cite other reasons.

This data reflects a clear shift towards leaner, more adaptive organisational models, where businesses are re-evaluating roles based on technological relevance and cost efficiency.

Stability as a strategic choice

For many employers, maintaining current staffing levels is a deliberate and strategic decision. Among those not planning any change to headcount in Q4 2025:

44 per cent say their current workforce is sufficient to meet operational goals.
29 per cent have made their operations more efficient, removing the need for further changes.
28 per cent are focused on retaining existing staff, signaling a shift toward employee development and engagement.
25 per cent do not expect major changes in the industry that would require staffing changes.
23 per cent say their current teams already meet legal and policy obligations.
22 per cent are taking a wait-and-see approach, watching how the economy develops before adjusting hiring plans.
18 per cent cite financial limitations that restrict expansion.
16 per cent are delaying new hires or lack active projects that would drive hiring.

No respondents selected “Other,” reinforcing that headcount decisions are being made based on clear internal strategy and external market visibility.

Sector-level outlook: Consumer, real estate and logistics lead hiring intent

The employment outlook varies across sectors, with the most aggressive hiring plans concentrated in consumer-facing and capital-intensive industries:

Consumer goods and services and financials and real estate lead with a 65 per cent outlook.
Transport, logistics and automotive follows with 61 per cent.
Information technology stands at 57 per cent, showing strong ongoing demand for tech talent.
Energy and utilities registers a 56 per cent hiring outlook.
Communications services posts 53 per cent.
Industrials and materials show 49 per cent, while the “Other” category (including government, NGOs, education, agriculture, and others) is at 48 per cent.
Healthcare and life sciences has the lowest outlook at 47 per cent.

This distribution suggests that hiring strength is tied to consumer demand, infrastructure investment, and digital acceleration, while more traditional or regulated sectors are hiring at a more moderate pace.

Top hiring challenges: Volume, skills, and AI tools

Even as hiring continues, employers face significant talent acquisition challenges, particularly in recruitment speed and candidate quality. According to the survey:

42 per cent report difficulties in managing high volumes of applications.
40 per cent struggle to attract qualified candidates.
32 per cent say filling complex technical roles is a key issue.
30 per cent are focused on improving candidate experience, especially in communication and feedback.
29 per cent highlight challenges caused by candidate usage of AI tools during applications.
27 per cent are themselves learning to use new AI recruiting technologies.
26 per cent want to reduce time-to-hire to avoid losing candidates to competitors.
21 per cent cite limited resources as a barrier to effective hiring.
Only 4 per cent say they are facing no hiring challenges at all.

Nonetheless, employer sentiment about their recruitment systems remains largely positive:

33 per cent rate their hiring process as excellent,
47 per cent as good,
17 per cent as fair,
2 per cent as poor,
and 1 per cent as very poor.

That means a full 80 per cent believe their systems are effective in selecting the right people for the right roles.

Retention strategies: Recognition and work-life balance matter most

As employers in the UAE focus on retaining top talent, they are prioritising employee-centric initiatives. The most effective strategies identified include:

42 per cent rank employee recognition as their top retention tool.
39 per cent focus on work-life balance and managing workload.
33 per cent highlight leadership behavior.
32 per cent offer work schedule flexibility.
29 per cent mention flexible work location and technology tools.
26 per cent point to training and upskilling opportunities.
24 per cent believe stimulating, meaningful work tasks play a key role.
Only 2 per cent state that none of these strategies are relevant.

Industry-specific insights reveal that work-life balance and workload are especially valued in:

Transport, logistics and automotive: 53 per cent
Financials and real estate: 52 per cent

This demonstrates a growing emphasis on employee wellbeing as a strategic imperative in talent retention.

GCC employment trends: Mixed but positive regional picture

GCC employment trends: Q2 2025 overview

Zooming out to the broader region, the GCC job market grew by one per cent in Q2 2025, driven by project delivery, strategic execution, and varying economic conditions across member states.

Where government initiatives and infrastructure projects progressed, hiring strengthened. In contrast, regions facing policy delays or reform rollouts experienced slower recruitment.

Hiring was largely focused on operations, delivery, and revenue-generating roles, especially in real estate, infrastructure, and technology. The report highlights a shift from ambition to execution, with hiring now closely tied to tangible business outcomes.

Economic pressures and sectoral demand

Q2 2025 brought new economic headwinds. Delayed interest rate cuts in the US and Europe, Red Sea disruptions, and tighter financial conditions led many businesses to adopt a cautious investment approach.

Shipping delays caused by Red Sea tensions increased freight costs and caused operational bottlenecks in manufacturing, retail, and logistics. While oil exports remained stable, resource reallocation and timeline adjustments became necessary across sectors.

Nevertheless, regional governments maintained investment commitments, which helped to stabilise labour markets.

Finance, banking, and compliance roles in demand

Within the GCC, specific roles saw sharp growth:

Senior finance positions grew eight per cent, driven by capital expansion, joint ventures, and regulatory pressure.
Hiring in internal audit, ICFR, and compliance surged, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Broader finance roles rose by four per cent, with demand for FP&A specialists and treasury professionals.
In banking (up three per cent), growth in M&A, AI integration, and governance-tech hybrid roles fueled demand.

By contrast, strategy hiring remained flat, as companies deprioritised senior roles, favouring interim consultants and specialist expertise to maintain agility.

Despite global and regional headwinds, the UAE’s employment landscape remains resilient, with 45 per cent of employers planning to hire in Q4 2025.

While some sectors face structural shifts, others, especially consumer, logistics, finance, and IT, are powering ahead.

From company expansion to AI-driven recruitment and retention based on flexibility and recognition, the UAE job market continues to evolve, strategically, cautiously, and ambitiously.

Hiring UAE Dubai survey new jobs UAE hiring boom New jobs incoming UAE employers Employers Plan team expansion

Flying Emirates? Power bank use banned onboard from October 1

Emirates allows passengers to carry only one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, but use of these devices in the cabin is now banned

Gulf Business

30 September, 2025

Flying Emirates? Power bank use banned onboard from October 1

Image credit: Emirates/Website

Effective October 1, 2025, Emirates is prohibiting the use of power banks during flights, marking a major shift in its onboard safety regulations. While passengers may still carry a power bank in their cabin luggage under specific conditions, charging devices using a power bank, or charging the power bank itself, is now strictly forbidden during the flight.

A power bank is a portable, rechargeable device used to power smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. Under the new rules, Emirates allows passengers to carry only one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, but use of these devices in the cabin is now banned, a WAM report said.

Key restrictions include:

Power banks cannot be used to charge personal devices onboard.
Charging power banks using the aircraft’s power source is not allowed.
Power banks must display capacity information and cannot be placed in overhead bins.
They must be stored either in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front.
As before, power banks are not permitted in checked luggage.

These updated rules aim to reduce potential risks associated with lithium battery-powered devices, which have become increasingly common among air travellers.

Why the ban? A proactive safety move

Emirates says the decision follows a comprehensive safety review, citing the rise in lithium battery-related incidents across the global aviation industry.

With more customers bringing power banks onboard, the airline is taking a firm, proactive stance to mitigate any associated hazards.

By banning in-flight use and requiring easily accessible storage locations, Emirates ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can act quickly to extinguish it.

Safety is a core value at Emirates and central to its operational practices. The airline remains committed to continuously enhancing safety standards for both customers and staff. The new power bank policy reflects this ongoing dedication and sets a clear benchmark for other global carriers to consider.

Emirates emirates airlines power bank on board safety standards

Gold slips from peak, but locks in strongest month since 2020

Bullion has risen 10.5 per cent so far in September, and is on track for its biggest monthly percentage gain since July 2020

Reuters

30 September, 2025

Gold slips from peak, but locks in strongest month since 2020

Gold fell on Tuesday as investors booked profits after prices hit a record high earlier in the session, while concerns about a looming US government shutdown and increased bets of a Federal Reserve rate cut limited losses.

Spot gold fell 0.7 per cent to $3,805.99 per ounce, after rising 1 per cent to hit a record high of $3,871.45 during Asia hours. Bullion has risen 10.5 per cent so far in September, and is on track for its biggest monthly percentage gain since July 2020.

Swissquote external analyst Carlo Alberto De Casa said gold has pared gains on profit-taking after rising as much as 1 per cent during Asia hours and “so far this is just a technical correction and we are not talking about an inversion.”

US President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponents appeared to make little progress at a White House meeting aimed at heading off a government shutdown that could disrupt a wide range of services as soon as Wednesday.

“The risk of shutdown for gold is positive because it means uncertainty and that the Federal Reserve doesn’t have clear data because that could arrive late,” De Casa added.

Markets expect an over 91 per cent chance of a 25-basis-point reduction at the Fed’s October meeting, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.Investors now await a slew of US data including Friday’s non-farm payrolls for further clues on the economy’s health.

The US Labor Department confirmed on Monday that its statistics agency would suspend data releases, including the closely-watched monthly employment report in the event of a partial government shutdown.

UBS expects gold could rise as high as $4,200/oz by mid-2026 in its bull case scenario, the bank said in a note on Tuesday.

Gold, viewed as a safe-haven asset in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, tends to do well in a low-interest rate environment.

Shares of China’s Zijin Gold International rose 66 per cent in their Hong Kong trading debut, after the company raised $3.2bn in an initial public offering (IPO), the largest deal of its kind globally in 2025.

Elsewhere, spot silver lost 1.7 per cent to $46.14 per ounce but has climbed 16.3 per cent so far this month. Platinum fell 3.1 per cent to $1,551.80 and palladium lost 3 per cent to $1,230.19.

Mining gold

From Dubai to Manila: Spinneys to launch Philippines stores in 2026

After its Riyadh debut last year, the UAE grocer is teaming with Ayala Corporation to open its first stores in the Philippines, marking its maiden step into Southeast Asia

Gareth van Zyl

30 September, 2025

From Dubai to Manila: Spinneys to launch Philippines stores in 2026

Entrance to a Spinneys supermarket in Dubai, UAE. (Credit: Getty Images)

Spinneys, which first opened its doors in Dubai’s Al Nasr Square in 1961, is now set to expand into Southeast Asia.

The UAE-based premium grocer has signed a joint venture with conglomerate Ayala Corporation to launch a series of supermarkets in the Philippines, marking a new chapter in its international growth story.

Under the agreement, Ayala will hold a 60 per cent stake and Spinneys a 40 per cent. The first store is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a pipeline of further outlets to follow. The joint venture will adopt a two-phased approach: Spinneys will initially support the venture with operational expertise before handing over day-to-day management to the new entity.

The move builds on Spinneys’ regional momentum. In June 2024, it opened its first Riyadh store in the upscale An Nuzha district, with plans to launch as many as 12 outlets across Saudi Arabia by 2028.

This year, the retailer also announced plans to expand into Kuwait alongside opening ten new stores in the UAE.

Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys, said the Philippines offered the right fundamentals for the brand’s first step outside the GCC.

“The Philippines offers significant long-term growth potential, with strong economic fundamentals, a growing affluent population, and increasing demand for high-quality offerings,” he said.

“Our partnership with Ayala combines its deep local knowledge with our operational expertise, providing a strong foundation to grow in a measured way. As we enter this next phase, we’re delighted to be bringing our high-quality and fresh offering to a new region.”

Ayala, one of the Philippines’ oldest and largest conglomerates, has a diverse presence across real estate, banking, telecommunications, energy, and logistics. The group has been expanding its retail footprint by partnering with global brands.

“We are honoured to be the first partner of Spinneys as it ventures outside the GCC,” said Cezar P. Consing, president and CEO of Ayala Corporation.

“We hope this investment will catalyse trade and investment between the Philippines and the GCC.”

The tie-up aims to blend Ayala’s access to prime sites in mixed-use developments with Spinneys’ expertise in premium fresh food retailing. The Philippine market, with its expanding middle and upper-income classes, is seeing rising demand for modern, high-quality retail experiences, making it a strategic entry point for the brand.

Spinneys currently operates over 80 outlets across the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia (including Waitrose stores), and has become synonymous with quality produce. Its 2024 IPO on the Dubai Financial Market raised Dhs1.4bn, fuelling an expansion drive that now stretches beyond the Gulf.

Philippines UAE Spinneys

Burj Capital Business Bay sets new benchmark for commercial real estate in Dubai

Completion of Burj Capital Business Bay is scheduled for March 2029

Rajiv Pillai

30 September, 2025

Burj Capital Business Bay sets new benchmark for commercial real estate in Dubai

Moksh Garg, managing director of Centurion Properties/Image: Supplied

Centurion Properties has officially unveiled Burj Capital Business Bay, a Grade A+ office tower designed to redefine Dubai’s commercial real estate landscape. The launch event, held on September 29, 2025, at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, marked the opening of Phase 2 of the project and positioned the tower as one of the most prestigious commercial developments in the region. Strategically located in Business Bay, minutes from Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, DIFC and Dubai Design District, Burj Capital embodies Dubai’s ambition as a global hub of enterprise and innovation.

With more than 238+ office units spread across a close to million square feet of built-up area, the tower combines commercial scale with lifestyle sophistication. Businesses benefit from flexible layouts, floor plates ranging from 750 sqft to 14,000 sqft, and amenities that extend far beyond the traditional workplace—swimming pool, yoga deck, co-working spaces, amphitheater-style seating, a running track, pickleball courts, curated F&B outlets, and a panoramic rooftop lounge overlooking the Burj Khalifa and Canal.

“Even though it is a commercial tower, this is the only commercial tower in Dubai today that offers amenities typically associated with residential buildings,” said Moksh Garg, managing director of Centurion Properties. “We believe in work-life balance, and that’s what we’ve integrated into the tower. People may confuse it with a residential tower at first glance, but it is 100 percent commercial with the feel of a lifestyle development.”

Unique features and design

Among the standout features are the Sky Garden, located mid-tower with direct views of the Burj Khalifa, and the Sky Lounge at the top, designed as both a relaxation zone and a networking hub. “These spaces elevate the office environment by encouraging collaboration and balance,” added Moksh Garg. “The interiors and quality of construction are Grade A+, and the building competes with some of the most iconic names in Dubai’s commercial landscape.”

Vimal Mohan, chief development officer at Centurion Properties, highlighted the deliberate trade-offs made to prioritise lifestyle. “At Burj Capital, we dedicated an entire level to lifestyle amenities which is not a very common practice these days, creating a space that blends fitness & wellness, leisure, and community. The tower features a Sky Garden, rooftop lounge, and a full health and fitness floor with an indoor-outdoor gym, swimming pool, jogging track, steam, sauna, and paddle tennis. We know Dubai is a lifestyle city, and we wanted Burj Capital to reflect that.”

Flexibility is another differentiator. Businesses can configure entire floors to suit their needs, thanks to a modular layout system. The tower also anticipates future demand: five basement levels add 150 more parking spaces than standard requirements, complete with EV charging stations. Sixteen high-speed elevators serve 238+ offices, ensuring efficiency for high occupancy.

A vision rooted in Centurion’s legacy

Centurion Properties has specialised in commercial real estate since its inception in 2013, when it launched the first freehold commercial tower in Dubai. According to Garg, Burj Capital reflects that founding vision. While the company is recognised for delivering both premium residential and commercial projects, he emphasises: “We see immense potential in the premium commercial segment, and Centurion Properties remains deeply committed to creating landmark developments in this space. Burj Capital is a continuation of the journey we began over a decade ago—delivering Grade A+ commercial towers that meet global standards and establish addresses of significance.”

When asked to describe the development, Mohan drew a comparison: “If Burj Khalifa is the tallest tower in the residential segment, I would say Burj Capital is the tower of premium business.” Adding to this, Garg highlighted: “Burj Capital is the address every business aspires to call home.”

Looking ahead

Completion of Burj Capital Business Bay is scheduled for March 2029, but the launch already signals a new chapter for Dubai’s commercial property market. For Centurion, the project is more than just another tower. “This launch event is not just showcasing a project—it’s showcasing what Centurion Properties stands for today,” said Garg. “We can forecast and show people the future of the company, and we are bringing that future to life.”

Commercial Real Estate Burj Capital Business Bay

Unexpected drop in Middle East oil premiums raises Saudi pricing dilemma

Dubai’s premium hit a six-month high of $3.63 a barrel in mid-September

Reuters

30 September, 2025

Unexpected drop in Middle East oil premiums raises Saudi pricing dilemma

Image: Getty Images

Spot premiums for Middle East crude oil unexpectedly slumped at the end of September despite stockpiling demand from top importer China, as there were ample supplies in Asia from Russia, and producers in the Gulf and other regions, traders said.

The sudden weakness in benchmarks – Dubai, Oman and Murban – could put Saudi Arabia in a quandary, they said, as the world’s top exporter is expected to raise official selling prices next month for November-loading supplies to Asia.

A total of 39 cargoes, or 19.5 million barrels of crude, were delivered via trades during the S&P Global Platts Market on Close process that assesses the Dubai benchmark, a tally by Reuters based on trade data as of Monday showed.

Trading firms Vitol, Gunvor, PetroChina and North Petroleum International snapped up the cargoes, traders said, keeping spot premiums for benchmark Dubai firmly above $3 in the first half of this month. Dubai’s premium hit a six-month high of $3.63 a barrel in mid-September.

Concerns about disruption in Russian oil exports from Ukrainian drone attacks and possible US sanctions provided support for the market, in addition to China’s oil stockpiling demand, they said.

Top seller Mercuria

Trading house Mercuria emerged as the key seller during the MoC process this month. The European trader sold 36 cargoes, including one Oman crude, two Qatari al-Shaheen crude while the rest are Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum grade, trade data obtained by Reuters showed.

Mercuria delivered more Upper Zakum crude than was available in the spot market as it bought some cargoes from Asian refiners including Formosa Petrochemical 6505.TW and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd BPCL.NS, three of the sources said.

Cash Dubai premiums slumped to 88 cents on Monday, losing more than two-third of its value in the past three sessions, Reuters data showed.

One of the sources said there are many unsold November-loading cargoes available in the market, mostly Upper Zakum crude. Another said Russia is exporting more crude as its refineries were damaged by Ukrainian drones.

There are also plenty of cargoes from producers in other regions such as Brazil and Europe, traders said. The arbitrage had opened when dated Brent slipped to an unusually wide discount of $3 a barrel against Dubai, they added. Low-sulphur Brent crude is typically priced at a premium to high-sulphur Dubai.

“Come late-October/early-November, we see Asia starting to feel bloated by the surge of inbound Atlantic Basin arb flows,” analysts at consultancy FGE said in a note.

“With Asia’s appetite for crude waning and as the circa 2 million barrels per day global oil surplus starts to materialise in stocks, we see contango creeping into the market.”

Contango refers to the market structure where prompt prices are lower than those in future months, indicating comfortable supplies.

Middle East oil