Saudi firms are reducing the large salary bonuses that used to attract foreign talent in sectors like construction and manufacturing as the kingdom adjusts its spending and economic aims, according to four recruiters interviewed by Reuters. Saudi Arabia, the leading exporter of oil, is making progress with its Vision 2030 plan, which focuses on decreasing reliance on oil revenues, generating jobs, and diversifying into industries like tourism, real estate, mining, and finance.
The nation has invested heavily in large-scale projects that increase the need for skilled foreign workers, but there have been challenges with project delivery and timelines. Foreign workers can no longer expect to negotiate high salary premiums, which could reach 40% or more, as offers are now much more modest. Recruiters note that the changes are partly due to the kingdom’s economic adjustments and an increase in available candidates eager to work in the region.
The shift in pay reflects a broader change by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which previously backed major infrastructure projects but is now leaning towards sectors like artificial intelligence, logistics, and mining for better returns. Projects like NEOM, a planned futuristic city, and the Trojena tourism hub, which will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, face delays due to the current economic strategy.
With decreasing oil prices affecting public finances, the government’s budget continues to struggle, necessitating oil prices around $100 for balance, according to the IMF. Recruitment has slowed, and companies are now more cautious in salary negotiations, shifting their focus towards high-demand jobs in technology sectors.
In contrast to Saudi Arabia, the UAE remains a preferred choice for many skilled workers due to its tax-free salaries, established facilities like schools and healthcare, and social reforms for a more liberal lifestyle. This has made it challenging for Saudi Arabia to compete; salary differences between the two regions are minimal now. The Saudi government is pushing for labor market reforms to increase private sector jobs for citizens, which has led to record low unemployment rates among Saudi nationals. To attract top talent, companies need to offer competitive packages that account for living costs, work-life balance, and a clear project vision.
HOLLYWOOD royalty Ariana Grande has arrived in the UK on a whirlwind stay fit for a princess.
The singer and actress flew in from Paris yesterday by private jet ready for the Wicked: For Good premiere in Leicester Square tomorrow.
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Ariana Grande has arrived in the UK on a whirlwind stay fit for a princessCredit: GettyAriana Grande is staying at the Raffles London at the OWOCredit: Alamy
The pint-sized pop queen touched down at Farnborough airport in Hampshire and was whisked away with her entourage to the five-star Raffles London at the OWO hotel.
I’m told the star, who plays Glinda, has hired six suites at £5,000 each a night for her trip — and chose the stunning building in Whitehall because she can easily enter and exit via the underground car park.
A source said: “Ariana’s team and the production crew from Wicked put their heads together to ensure Ariana is in luxury and comfort and has plenty of privacy.
“She will need plenty of time and space to prepare for her big red-carpet moment with her glamour squad.”
Ariana is believed to be attending the movie premiere with her boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, having ignored rumours that they have split.
But she will be mostly joined at the hip with British actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba.
Production company Universal has splashed out £100,000 on hiring art deco French restaurant Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly for the after-party, where Ari will let her hair down.
On Friday night, Ariana showed off her hand tattoos at the film’s Paris premiere, and many fans believe the inkings are linked to the movie and her friendship with Cynthia.
She was joined by another co-star, Michelle Yeoh, as she greeted the crowds.
In just over a week’s time, Ariana is due back in America for the film’s premiere in New York.
Ariana was last week forced to miss the Wicked premiere in Brazil due to flight issues.
She had been expecting to walk the red carpet at the Sao Paulo event on Tuesday evening but was forced to get off the plane because of safety issues.
Taking to Instagram to share her disappointment, Ariana said that her team failed to find an alternative arrangement to get her to Sao Paolo in time.
Hopefully her stay in Blighty will be much smoother.
LILY TO CLEAN UP WITH GIRL BRAND
LILY ALLEN is certainly soaking up the success of her latest album, West End Girl.
She released the 14-track record last month following her split from husband David Harbour, who appears in supernatural TV series Stranger Things.
Lily Allen has applied to trademark the name West End Girl ahead of a tour that kicks off in MarchCredit: Daniel Arnold for Interview Magazine
I can reveal Lily, pictured here in her bra enjoying a bubble bath and pulling a funny face for a magazine shoot, has now applied to trademark the name West End Girl ahead of a tour that kicks off in March.
The trademark covers beauty items including cosmetics, fragrances, perfumery, sun cream and shampoo.
It also includes sunglasses, jewellery, bags, clothing, footwear and headgear.
Her album jumped to No2 in the Official Albums Chart this week.
Lily was left devastated when her four-year marriage to American actor David broke down last December.
The couple met on celebrity dating app Raya and moved to New York after tying the knot in 2020.
However, she has since moved back to London with her two daughters from her first marriage.
It comes as the Not Fair singer is gearing up for her 14-date tour in March, which starts at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.
Fans are begging for more dates after the tour sold out in minutes this week.
If I can’t pin down a ticket, at least I’ll be able to get my hands on some Lily Allen bubble bath instead.
AFRICA A WINTER WONDER LAND
FORMER Love Islander Faye Winter is swapping her beach bag for a backpack to do community and conservation work in Africa.
The reality star, left, who found fame on the ITV2 dating show in 2021, is running a volunteer trip to Zimbabwe this month.
Faye Winter will be doing community and conservation work in AfricaCredit: Getty
She has already given up the party lifestyle in London to return to her roots in Devon, where she lives with her golden retriever Bonnie and two rescue ponies, Keith and Kevin.
Faye told me: “I was out of my comfort zone living away from the countryside.
“The only thing that kept me going was my guide dog volunteer work. I find it so fulfilling, I’m not a party girl at all.”
Looking back on her life after the show, Faye admits that she wasn’t happy.
She said: “I struggled with the fact it was all about where you were seen.
“It felt materialistic. Giving back is so much more meaningful.”
HOLLY’S HAPPY MEALS
HOLLY WILLOUGHBY is a woman after my own heart when it comes to hangover cures.
The TV presenter said only a McDonald’s can soothe her after too many drinks the night before.
Holly Willoughby said only a McDonald’s can cure her hangoverCredit: instagram/hollywilloughby
Asked what her go-to recovery meal is, Holly told a magazine: “I want a McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese and if it hasn’t got a pickle on it, I’m gonna throw it back at you.
“I order extra pickles every time. Then I want skinny fries that are as salty as possible.
“I know some people think McDonald’s makes you feel rotten, but I just love it.
“You can tell how often I go because there are so many selfies of me sat in my car, taken by the drive-thru staff.”
Sounds like Holly is lovin’ it.
SLIMLINE JEN KIDS AROUND
HOLLYOAKS’ Jennifer Metcalfe has revealed the secret to her trim figure – she orders child portions.
The actress, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, said smaller helpings mean she can have more of what she fancies.
During the show’s 30th anniversary celebrations at St George’s Hall in Liverpool, she said: “I eat what I want, when I want – small portions.
“Yesterday, me and my friend were out for five hours.
“We wanted a roast dinner, so I got a child’s portion, then we went to our local Indian and had poppadoms and all of the chutney.
“I have been eating loads recently, but my motto is ‘eat small amounts of everything you want’.”
Jennifer said she has just signed a year’s contract with Hollyoaks, adding: “We are making this 30th year count.”
WHAT WE ATE: Mini burgers, pigs in blankets and pick ’n’ mix sweets.
Emily with Santa at Tangle Teezer’s Christmas partyCredit: Supplied
WHAT WE DRANK: Aperol spritz, Moscow mule and appletini cocktails.
WHO WAS THERE: Molly-Mae Hague’s hairdresser Jack Luckhurst, model Amanda Chrishell, influencer Tyra Baylis and our Emily, pictured with a handsome Santa.
TAYLOR & SABRINA’S HEIGHT ON THE TOWN
IT was the little and large show as chart superstars Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift went on a night out in New York.
Sabrina, who is 5ft, looked glamorous in a white roll-neck jumper and trench coat for the evening in SoHo restaurant.
Sabrina Carpenter wore a white roll-neck jumper and trench coat for a night out with Taylor SwfitCredit: GettyTaylor showed off her long legs in a pleated mini-skirt and polo shirt.Credit: GettyThe pair recently collaborated on The Life Of A ShowgirlCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, 5ft 9in Taylor showed off her long legs in a pleated mini-skirt and polo shirt.
It comes after Sabrina recently collaborated with Taylor on The Life Of A Showgirl track from her album of the same name.
CORKING HAT, LIAM
LIAM GALLAGHER gets into the Aussie spirit as he struts his stuff in a cork hat on tour Down Under.
The Oasis singer, who is normally known for wearing a bucket hat, was on stage in Melbourne, complete with maracas, as part of the Live ’25 tour with brother Noel.
Liam Gallagher on stage in SydneyCredit: instagram/oasis
The band played in Sydney last night and will head to Buenos Aires in Argentina for a show next Saturday.
The network announced Friday that Brees, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV, has been hired as an NFL game analyst. He will join play-by-play announcer Adam Amin in the booth starting Nov. 16.
Amin had previously been paired with Sanchez, who is facing a felony battery charge after a physical altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in Indianapolis last month. Sanchez, who was stabbed in the abdomen during the incident, has not been on the air since then, and a Fox Sports spokesperson told The Times on Friday that he “is no longer with the network.”
“There will be no further comment at this time,” the spokesperson added.
Sanchez has been charged with a level five felony of battery involving serious bodily injury as well as two misdemeanors — unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — after an Oct. 4 scuffle with Indiana resident Perry Tole.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis that weekend to cover the Colts’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders. According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Sanchez threw Tole toward a wall and also onto the ground during the altercation, while Tole sprayed Sanchez with pepper spray and eventually stabbed him.
Tole spent two days in the hospital after suffering a deep laceration on his left cheek that his attorney said affected his ability to speak. On Oct. 6, Tole filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez, alleging he had suffered “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress, and other damages” as a result of the 38-year-old former NFL player’s actions.
Fox Corp. was named as a co-defendant in the case.
Sanchez remained in the hospital for a week after the incident. He was excused from attending an Oct. 22 pre-trial conference for his criminal case, as his attorney said he was still recovering from his injuries. The trial is set to begin Dec. 11.
With Brees, Fox has replaced Sanchez with one of the NFL’s all-time greats at quarterback. Brees played for the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints during his 20 years in the NFL and is second behind Tom Brady in many of the league’s passing records, including touchdowns and yards. In his first year of eligibility, he is among the 52 modern-era players under consideration for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
“Drew is one of the best to ever play the game, and we couldn’t be more excited to have his prolific credentials and unique insights as part of our coverage on Sundays,” Brad Zager, president of Production and Operations at Fox Sports, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Fox Sports family.”
Upon retiring in 2020, Brees called games on NBC for one season. More recently, he has appeared on in-studio shows on various networks and is slated to be part of Netflix’s coverage of Christmas Day games for the second year.
“I appreciate the opportunity Fox has given me in the booth and with their team,” Brees said in a statement. “I hope my passion for this game is reflected in the knowledge and insights I provide to the fans each Sunday.”
