UAE: Concerns have grown among netizens over hotel workers in the United Arab Emirates facing extended leave or termination amid the Middle East war.

One netizen, raising awareness of the situation, wrote on r/UAE: “It’s no secret anymore that the current hotel occupancy levels are at record low. As low as 10% but ranging from 10% to 30%. Hotels and resorts, especially the top-tier ones, cannot sustain this level of occupancy levels for longer. Many top tiers have already announced closures.”

Mentioning hotels such as Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Armani Hotel Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, Park Hyatt Dubai and Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai, he added, “Most employees will be sent out on long leave or termination. Each of these hotels easily employs 500+”

Besides hotel workers, he pointed out that hotel closures lasting several months, whether temporary or for refurbishment, will affect not only the hotels themselves but also hundreds of other companies, including food suppliers, laundry services, transport companies, event planners, cleaning contractors, and tourism businesses.

“This will send a literal shockwave. Hundreds of companies are tied to the hotel industry. Multiple banks carry huge amounts of loan load by these hotels, on the other hand. That’s another domino on its own when the defaulters are in the tens or hundreds of millions AED. Every industry will start feeling the heat, and most already have, obviously. Just 10x worse in a month.”

Commenters shared the same sentiment. 

One said, “Wars always hurt civilians first. Hotel workers don’t start wars. They just lose jobs. That’s the tragedy. Not the buildings. The people.”

Another commenter claimed, “Last week, 700 staff were laid off at Atlantis. This isn’t me guessing or speculating. My close friend works there, and one of the big names in my industry was laid off, who had been there 18 years.”

However, one Dubai traveller, who often goes there for leisure, shared a more optimistic note, saying, “I wouldn’t fly to Dubai right now because there is so much uncertainty, but once this is all over, I wouldn’t be afraid of going back. I’m sure Dubai will bounce back. It’ll just take a little bit of time, as hotels will need to rehire and retrain.”

The Economic Times reported that at least seven premium hotels in Dubai, including Armani Hotel Dubai and Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, have announced temporary closures or scaled-back operations for renovations, as tourist arrivals slow amid the US–Israel–Iran conflict.

Others, such as Park Hyatt Dubai, St. Regis The Palm, and Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai, will also undergo refurbishments, while Atlantis Dubai has paused operations at several restaurants across The Palm and The Royal.

Industry executives expect more luxury properties to follow, with weaker demand likely to persist through summer, alongside hotel upgrades to improve resilience and security.

The region is also seeing fewer flights, Airbnb cancellations and more cautious household spending, CNBC reported.

In March, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimated the conflict had already cut at least US$600 million a day from international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, traveller confidence and regional connectivity weigh on demand in the region. /TISG

Read also: ‘I’m job hugging even harder’: Some Singaporeans share how they’re navigating rising costs amid the Middle East war

This article (Concerns grow over UAE hotel workers facing extended leave or termination amid rising hotel vacancies) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for about 58%, or 7,679 of the 13,322 new cars registered in Singapore in the first quarter, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), marking the first time EV registrations outnumbered combustion engine and hybrid models. This was a sharp increase from last year’s record-high 45% share of EV registrations.

In terms of EV brands, Chinese automaker BYD led the market with 3,239 units, or nearly one in four new car registrations. Of these, 3,073 were fully electric, while 166 were petrol-electric (plug-in hybrid) models.

While an EY survey in January found charging concerns had dampened buyer interest in purchasing EVs, some industry players said rising fuel prices amid the Middle East war are now pushing buyers already considering EVs to act sooner, Channel News Asia reported.

EV players in Singapore have seen sales surge, with Chinese automaker Dongfeng reporting a jump of up to 80% in March.

However, some industry players noted that the recent revision of the Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate, which affects new car registrations this year, is a key driver of the rising interest in EVs.

In February, the LTA announced that the PARF rebate has been lowered by 45 percentage points.

The PARF rebate is the amount car owners receive when they deregister their vehicle, and it is calculated as a percentage of the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) paid. The ARF itself is based on a car’s Open Market Value (OMV), which is its estimated price before taxes. The rebate is tiered depending on the age of the vehicle when it is deregistered, with newer cars receiving a higher percentage.

With the revision, the gap in PARF rebates between EVs and non-EVs has narrowed.

Dongfeng Singapore founder and CEO Soh Ming told Channel News Asia that this helps level the playing field between EVs and non-EVs. Meanwhile, automotive industry consultant Say Kwee Neng told The Straits Times that with the reduced gap in PARF rebates between EVs and non-EVs, consumers have fewer reasons to stick with petrol engine models. /TISG

Read also: Singaporeans may have to pay more for celebrations as helium costs rise up to 40% amid Middle East conflict

This article (Singapore sees higher EV registrations in first quarter as rising petrol prices drive urgency among buyers already considering EVs, experts say) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MEXICO: A man working at a Fortune 100 company shared his financial worries online after being laid off for the first time. With only three months’ notice, a baby, and having recently paid in cash for a car, he said, “I’m scared about what comes next.”

The layoffs came as the company plans to consolidate operations into a single hub, instead of several offices in Mexico, and hire employees in lower-cost countries, mostly in parts of Africa where wages are significantly lower, he said.

Explaining his situation further on r/Layoffs, he wrote: “I can’t go into detail about my role due to contractual restrictions, but I’ve held a senior position for over two years and been here for eight years. During that time, I worked hard and genuinely loved what I did. The job came with great benefits: two months of vacation, a hybrid work model, insurance, and a level of flexibility that allowed me to leave early or take time off when needed.”

Before the layoffs were confirmed, rumours about the job cuts had already been circulating across the company. Then came slowed hiring across several departments, and new recruits who were struggling to perform were eventually let go. On Wednesday, after being called into the office, it finally became official.

Although there’s a good severance package waiting, and some have been offered to relocate to the bigger city, the cost of living there is so high that it would require double the salary, which is not being offered.

Sharing his worries further, he added, “I’m still relatively young, and this is the first time I’ve ever been laid off. I feel a mix of fear and uncertainty. Part of me wants to invest in a business and become my own boss, but living in this country, concerns about corruption and violence make that decision difficult.”

While he felt constant pressure over the past year, there was also a sense of relief, “that maybe this is a turning point”, yet he said, “I feel lost and uncertain.”

Amid his feelings of uncertainty, commenters who have been laid off once encouraged him.

One said, “I’ve been at it for just about 30 years now. I’ve been laid off twice… It happens to most people at least once,” adding that it was “the best thing that could’ve happened” to him.

Another shared, “All I can say my friend is you are not alone. Life has been a struggle for me,” explaining that just as things seemed to ease — after getting a good job, paying a large sum toward his mortgage, and getting a tattoo and buying the guitar he wanted — he “got laid off and [was] back to the grind.”

A third advised, “Look forward. You’ll find another job; things will work out. Leverage your professional network, don’t be afraid to contact people that you haven’t spoken to in a few years if that’s what it takes.” 

However, one commenter shared a more pessimistic note, saying, “The race to the bottom is real. Sorry to hear about you losing your job. Seems like no one and no country is safe.” /TISG

Read also: ‘So this is what AI will drive’: Workers react as PwC partner pay rises amid AI push and fewer staff

This article (‘I’m scared about what comes next’: Fortune 100 worker shares financial worries after being laid off as company shifts hiring to ‘lower-cost countries’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance has named the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) as Singapore’s most valuable brand for the 14th consecutive year in its Singapore 100 2026 report. Changi Airport, meanwhile, was named the strongest brand for the year.

Changi Airport achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.2 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating, the highest accolade for brand strength awarded by Brand Finance, while DBS, which was also ranked the fourth strongest Singaporean brand, achieved a BSI score of 88.5. The bank also ranked the seventh most valuable bank in the Asia Pacific (APAC).

Both companies recorded higher brand values. DBS’ brand value rose 8% to US$18.6 billion (S$23.74 billion), driven by its regional expansion and diversification, while Changi Airport’s increased 16% to US$889 million, supported by record passenger traffic, expanded connectivity, and continued service excellence.

Meanwhile, Telechoice International, a regional diversified provider and enabler of innovative info-communications products and services, ranked as the city-state’s fastest-growing brand after its brand value surged 288% to US$52.7 million, thanks to strong demand in semiconductor-related segments, higher sales volumes, and targeted investments in high-growth product lines.

Overall, Singapore’s top 100 brands grew 7% year-on-year (YoY) to US$84.1 billion, the report added. /TISG

Read also: SIA Group’s March passenger traffic rises amid Middle East disruptions

This article (DBS remains Singapore’s most valuable brand; Changi Airport strongest in 2026) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore is seeing higher demand for solar panels, according to solar firms, as homeowners explore alternative energy options amid rising electricity costs triggered by the Middle East war.

Earlier this month, International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol told the French conservative Le Figaro newspaper that the global energy crisis would push countries towards renewable energy such as solar and wind, “within a few months,” as these are quicker to install.

According to Channel News Asia, local providers such as GetSolar and FOMO Energy reported a surge in solar panel installations and enquiries from landed homeowners, as well as condominium residents and commercial clients.

In fact, GetSolar’s installations jumped fourfold this month compared to previous months, while its enquiries in March alone doubled compared to February. FOMO Energy enquiries from residential homeowners also rose by over 60% since early March.

However, at a time when interest in solar panels has never been stronger, especially among condominium residents, adoption is still catching up.

Condos have limited and shared rooftop space, which restricts solar panel installation size. Solar projects may also be less financially attractive because condos usually run on a single main meter, so excess solar power cannot be easily exported to the national grid and must be used within the building.

On top of that, approval for installation takes time, as solar projects typically require consent from Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) councils and, in some cases, residents, unlike landed homes. Although other property types also come with limits.

Shophouses may face space or structural constraints due to the age of the building, while those in conservation areas must meet additional regulatory requirements.

Still, despite these constraints, industry players expect more property owners in Singapore to turn to solar power in the years ahead. /TISG

Read also: About 8 in 10 Singapore firms hold off workplace changes amid high energy prices

This article (Singapore starts seeing higher demand for solar panels, solar firms say) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

UNITED STATES: Meta will reportedly begin its planned first wave of layoffs on May 20, cutting 10%, or about 8,000, of its global workforce, Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the plans.

The sources also said there are further layoffs in the second half of the year, although details such as timing and size have not been finalised. Plans may also change depending on developments in artificial intelligence capabilities, they added.

Amid reports of the upcoming layoffs, Business Insider reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that Meta “quietly” hired two founding members of artificial intelligence research and product company Thinking Machines Lab, Mark Jen and Yinghai Lu, along with AI researcher Tianyi Zhang, who all previously worked at Meta.

The three, who are recent departures from the US$12 billion AI startup founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati, have not yet disclosed their move on LinkedIn.

Other companies that have had massive layoffs include Amazon, Block, and Oracle.

So far this year, 73,212 tech employees have lost their jobs, according to data from Layoffs.fyi. While many companies have been citing AI-driven efficiency as a reason for job cuts, analysts argued that companies have been “AI-washing” layoffs instead of citing other reasons for the cuts. /TISG

Read also: ‘So this is what AI will drive’: Workers react as PwC partner pay rises amid AI push and fewer staff

This article (Meta to begin first wave of layoffs on May 20, cutting about 8,000 jobs, with more layoffs expected later: Reports) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A snap poll by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) found that about eight in 10 firms have held off workforce or workplace changes in direct response to higher energy prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, as firms look to manage costs without affecting staff.

Meanwhile, among the 17% that did make changes, most froze hiring or delayed expansion plans (67%). Others redeployed or cross-trained staff (33%), or reduced headcount through natural attrition (33%). Some firms also cut bonuses, allowances or benefits (25%), or reduced work hours, overtime or shifts (19%).

Nearly all firms (96%) reported higher operating costs due to rising energy prices, while 53% said they are concerned about manpower cost pressures.

Should energy prices remain elevated over the next 12 months amid ongoing Middle East tensions, 83% of businesses said cost support, such as tax relief or financing assistance, would be most helpful, followed by energy cost relief and subsidies (77%) and delays to manpower policy changes (55%).

SNEF conducted the snap poll between April 10 and 16, 2026, drawing responses from 210 companies across the manufacturing, services and construction sectors, of which 73% were small and medium-sized enterprises and the rest large firms.

Inflation driven by the Middle East conflict has already started to affect businesses. Celebrations in the little red dot, which often include helium balloons as decorations, are expected to become more expensive as helium costs have risen by as much as 40%.

Even hawker food, often seen as an affordable everyday meal option for many Singaporeans, is already seeing higher prices amid rising ingredient costs, energy prices and fuel-related surcharges. /TISG

Read also: ‘I’m job hugging even harder’: Some Singaporeans share how they’re navigating rising costs amid the Middle East war

This article (About 8 in 10 Singapore firms hold off workplace changes amid high energy prices) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Concerns over beauty and massage parlours taking over neighbourhood shops have surfaced online, after small business owners in Singapore shared on r/Singapore how rising rents are eating into most of their revenue, leaving them little to no profit. Many shuttered shops, they said, are increasingly being replaced by beauty and massage parlours.

One commenter said the trend is not only hurting small businesses, particularly food and beverage (F&B) shops, but also discouraging new entrepreneurs.

“It kills young entrepreneurs or any entrepreneurs trying to make a difference in the neighbourhood… because of the cost, there’s a lot of ideas that don’t generate that high of a revenue and margin to be viable,” he said, calling the trend “a cancer to neighbourhood shopping areas.”

Another added, “I don’t think we can have such entrepreneurs anymore with the killer rentals,” while a third shared that a long-running Malay stall he liked in Jurong East, known for its “sedap” curry puffs and other Malay finger food, had been replaced by hair salons.

He said, “I still miss the stall. Hope they continue their business somewhere else and are not closed permanently.”

Small business owners on the brink of closing their shops, or who have already closed, lamented similar concerns.

One who’s renting an HDB shophouse said he may have to give up the business when his lease ends this year, after his landlord sold the unit for nearly S$3 million. 

“As it is, rent is taking up 40% of my revenue (not profit). But people will say, it’s supply and demand, and if you can’t keep your business afloat, you shouldn’t be doing one blah blah blah. It’s really sad when we see shops closing and being replaced by massage/beauty parlours,” he said.

Others shared rental increases of up to 120% in the span of three years, with one saying his friend’s small phone shop, which was doing rather well, had to close after the landlord doubled the rent upon lease renewal.

“All these stores cannot commercially survive with such rents and make a decent living. That’s why we see all the childhood snacks gone. Replaced with salons that do S$1 haircuts,” another added.

To curb rising rents, Senior Minister of State for National Development Sun Xueling told Parliament in September that the board may acquire privately owned HDB shop units “if needed” and expand the supply of those it leases out in heartland areas.

Still, some netizens questioned how long their hard-earned money would “feed these landlords only.” /TISG

Read also: HDB coffee shops can now opt out of budget meal initiative

This article (‘It kills young entrepreneurs’: Netizens raise concerns as beauty, massage parlours take over neighbourhood shops) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans may soon have to pay more for celebrations as party businesses struggle against rising helium costs amid the Middle East conflict. Major producers of helium, a by-product of natural gas production, include the United States and Qatar.

Singapore’s one-stop party and gift shop Misty Daydream reportedly said new tanks of helium cost up to 40% more than before the Iran war, while SgBalloons, a creative decorations provider for events, said it was quoted about 27% more per tank when they made an order about two weeks ago.

Misty Daydream also said higher diesel prices pushed up their delivery costs and overall operating expenses.

Both companies told Channel News Asia they are absorbing the added costs for now instead of passing them on to customers.

Three weeks ago, Sgballoons posted on Instagram that they’re keeping their prices frozen for March despite an increase in their operating costs amid rising global costs for helium and fuel.

Currently, both companies are working on diversifying their offerings and reducing reliance on gas.

Celebrations aside, the squeeze from the Middle East conflict could also push up prices of hawker meals, as hawkers grapple with higher ingredient costs, energy prices and fuel-related surcharges. /TISG

Read also: ‘I’m job hugging even harder’: Some Singaporeans share how they’re navigating rising costs amid the Middle East war

This article (Singaporeans may have to pay more for celebrations as helium costs rise up to 40% amid Middle East conflict) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: What if your friends’ advice ends up doing you more harm than good? A 26-year-old diploma holder who lost his job in the banking and finance industry after a company restructuring vented online about how challenging it has become to find a decent-paying job.

He said that after attending numerous interviews, he had only received job offers worth around S$1,500, adding that he believed this was because he only had a diploma and not a degree.

To make matters worse, while still jobless, he revealed that he now has over S$20,000 in debt after turning to gambling, following his friends’ suggestion that it could be a source of “extra income”.

Commenters on The Independent Singapore’s Facebook page, however, questioned why his so-called friends would advise him to turn to gambling instead of encouraging him to keep searching for better job opportunities.

One commenter said, “If your friends had suggested that you gamble, then maybe you need better friends. If anyone can win in gambling, then no one will work…And even if someone can make the rare occasional win, 99.99% of the people will end up losing money in the long term. Just bear this in mind before you gamble,” while others suggested he cut off communication with those friends.

Another commenter added, “The only reason gambling businesses exist is that they make money. No one would open a gambling business if it were not profitable!”

Several others offered encouragement and suggested taking on part-time jobs instead.

A 59-year-old mother who had also previously lost her job once encouraged him and shared her experience, saying, “You are young. Keep trying or get a part-time job. I used to work 16 hours when I was 26 years old. Take care of my kids, aged 5 and 3 years. My hubby was sick and jobless most of the time. I worked the night shift. Now I am 59 years old. I worked in retail and switched jobs recently. I am a driver now. I worked long hours till my kids finished poly. Now they are working. I like working and don’t depend on my kids for pocket money. Don’t lose hope and don’t go down the wrong path.”

According to Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), gamblers and their families, who often have to struggle with financial and debt problems, as well as guilt, anxiety and even depression, can seek assistance through NCPG’s helpline at 1800-6-668-668, or check here for more information on counselling services. /TISG

Read also: Laid-off tech professional finds job after 14 months, shares advice for job seekers: ‘I am seeing light at the end of this tunnel’

This article (Jobless diploma holder racks up more than S$20K debt after gambling on friends’ advice) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A netizen has warned diners to be cautious about food outlets’ online reviews after claiming the Google rating of a food chain he visited in Tampines jumped from two to four plus stars in a day.

In a post on r/SingaporeRaw, he said he had a “pretty bad experience” at the food chain and felt the rating at the time, about two stars, matched what he observed when dining there.

What’s weird, he added, was when he checked again the following day, the Google rating “shot up significantly to 4+ stars” and was then suddenly flooded with “5-star reviews from accounts that looked brand new.”

“It is a massive shift from the opening month, where most people were leaving one or two stars,” he said.

Warning other diners, he added, “Just wanted to put this out there so people stay sceptical. Don’t just look at the 4-star average on Google Maps and assume everything is great. It is always safer to filter by the newest reviews and see if the accounts have actually reviewed other places before. Seeing a score jump that much in 24 hours is definitely worth noting before you spend your money there.”

Commenters, however, were not surprised at the “super common” issue, which others described as “standard practice”.

One said, “You see those reviewers with less than 10 reviews, you know already. Most obvious are those that name-drop the staff/manager. 100% paid reviews.”

Another shared, “Hot tip, always look at the lowest reviews. If the lowest reviews say the food s*cks, avoid like the plague, but if it’s about service, generally it’s fine.”

A third added that a five-star review online usually means the one providing the review got something for free, “otherwise creating multiple fake accounts.”

According to Google’s Business Profile Help Centre, reviews, which appear next to business profiles on Google Maps and Search, are meant to reflect customers’ “genuine experience”.

Any form of incentivised or manipulated reviews, including offering free or discounted goods or services in exchange for posting, changing or removing reviews, is considered fake and misleading content and is strictly prohibited under its policies.

However, businesses can get more reviews by reminding customers to leave reviews and responding to reviews to show that their input is valued. /TISG

Read also: ‘It’s just fair’: Netizens defend restaurant over S$400 cancellation fee after woman cancelled Valentine’s reservation due to close relative’s death

This article (‘Watch out for review boosting at food outlets’: Netizen says Google rating of food chain he visited in Tampines jumped from 2 to 4+ stars in a day) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Slacking at work may actually have its advantages when it comes to corporate layoffs, according to career coach Kelly Volkmar, who pointed out one “very frustrating” reality: “the slacker Bob sitting next to you is actually safer than you as a high performer”.

On her Instagram @corporateclarity.career, she explained in a short video: “It’s because slackers are very annoying, but they’re harmless. They don’t ask questions, they don’t challenge decisions, they don’t expose problems. High performers do. They push, they question things, and they move fast — and that creates pressure. And pressure exposes where the system is broken.”

She added, “The irony is slackers p*ss off high performers, but high performers threaten leaders.”

Most commenters agreed, with some self-described “high performers” saying that after doing more and getting scolded for asking questions or challenging what they felt were bad decisions, they’ve learned “not to work so hard”.

One commenter said, “I used to be a high performer — waste of my time, got paid the same for doing much less and less stress.”

Another shared, “My mentor told me ‘you get paid the same whether you’re a superstar or you make mistakes all the time’.”

A third added, “It took me a long time to realise the best thing to be in corporate America is borderline invisible. Just do your job well enough and consistently enough that people forget you exist. Then once or twice a year (just before a comp review cycle) emerge from obscurity with a good idea… then disappear again.”

Others also mentioned mastering “the subtle art of minding my own business”, with one commenter sharing that after realising his extra efforts weren’t always rewarded, he now sticks to “no drinks after work, no co-worker friends on social media, no office politics, no cliquish behaviour”.

“Some people’s entire identity is their corporate job. If there is enough genuine fulfilment in your life outside of work, you won’t be so emotionally invested. So long as no one messes with your schedule and you aren’t micromanaged, perform your job to the best of your ability and clock out,” he added.

Several others shared that, unlike high performers, slackers are the ones getting one to two per cent salary increases, with some describing them as ‘pragmatic survivors’ who have learned the rules of the system and are getting paid to do enough while being politically competent.

Labour market exchange data from Malaysia’s social security organisation (PERKESO) appears to support what Ms Volkmar said and what netizens observed.

In January, 53.7% of job cuts in Malaysia were high-skilled workers. The numbers even edged up to 54.4% in February.

In the little red dot, the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM’s) latest labour market report also showed an uptick in layoffs among professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) compared to the broader workforce, surpassing pre-recession norms. /TISG

Read also: Are corporate jobs no longer the goal of the younger generation? Gen Z claims she was ‘brainwashed’ into corporate

This article (‘Slackers are annoying but harmless’: Why high-performers are getting laid-off in corporate) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.