Gulf war fallout: Indian expats' salaries, jobs at risk
The conflict in West Asia is making it tough for Gulf businesses, especially in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, to hire new talent or expand.
Companies are putting senior-level hiring on hold and rethinking their plans.
As Puneet Kalra from Russell Reynolds Associates puts it, while the UAE's expat scene might stay steady, Saudi Arabia could have a harder time drawing in new talent for its big economic projects.
Salary hikes might not be enough to cushion the blow
All this uncertainty is hitting salaries and bonuses too.
Oil prices have been jumping around, the rupee hit a record low, and consulting firm Aon says some sectors like energy and logistics might see bonus cuts, even though a 9.1% salary hike is still on the cards for 2026.
Roopank Chaudhary from Aon also points out that inflation could eat into those raises, especially with new labor rules making things even trickier for companies to adapt right now.