Multinational employers operating in the Middle East and Africa face escalating geopolitical tension, challenging economic conditions and evolving social expectations. Our recent webinar covered how countries across MEA are responding to these pressures—and what employers need to know to stay compliant and competitive.

Click here for a link to the recording, and also a preview of the discussion:

A Bird’s Eye View

• Economically, a mixed bag: while Morocco, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are experiencing growth and attracting foreign investment, South Africa and Türkiye are grappling with more challenging conditions.
• Escalating conflict: Regional conflict in neighboring jurisdictions in the Middle East have wide ranging implications for global businesses.
• 2025 is a landmark year for labor law reform: Significant reforms in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already in effect, plus anticipated reforms in Morocco, South Africa, and Türkiye.

Morocco

• A new labor code is expected by the end of 2025, aiming to simplify hiring and termination procedures and formally regulate remote work.
• Social protection reforms now cover informal and domestic workers, with legal recognition of unpaid domestic labor under consideration.
• A new strike law (effective August 2025) introduces protections against retaliation and bans replacement workers during strikes.

Saudi Arabia

• 2025 labor law amendments include extended maternity leave (12 weeks), clarified paternity leave, and compensatory time off for...

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