Last updated: 05 May 2026
Mauve Group is closely monitoring developments across parts of the Middle East following recent regional escalation.
Some countries in the region are experiencing military action, increased security measures, and temporary airspace disruption. Developments are currently impacting Israel, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, with precautionary security or airspace measures in Saudi Arabia and Cyprus.
Workers in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan, please note that regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
The Iranian government has publicly stated its intention to target locations associated with the United States and Israel. This includes US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions.
There continue to be strikes on civilian infrastructure across these countries, such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.
Please follow all guidance from local authorities.
We are closely monitoring the region and will update guidance as needed. At present, there are no changes to Mauve’s operational capability; however, we are taking precautionary steps to ensure worker safety and employment compliance.
Workers in Dubai: Please note that the DMCC portal is now back online, although it is currently running very slowly, which may affect the speed of submissions and application processing. Work on pending applications, including visa renewals, has resumed where system access allows.
Temporary ceasefires: Temporary ceasefires have been announced between the US and Iran and Iran and Lebanon. While these ceasefires are in place, residents of these countries should still exercise extreme caution and adhere to all guidance from local authorities.
UAE: Following several weeks of ceasefire, there has been a renewed escalation in the UAE region. On May 4th, a fresh wave of missile and drone activity was directed towards the UAE, marking a significant development after the recent period of relative calm. As a result, some institutions, including schools, have shifted back to distance learning, and certain government offices are operating remotely or with reduced capacity. Consequently, response times from government entities may be slower than usual.
Please note: a number of countries outside the Middle East have introduced fuel-saving measures.
Countries currently reporting impacts include:
Philippines – Declared a national energy emergency due to supply risks and rising fuel prices. 13.04.2026 - To help businesses without disrupting their fiscal and non‑fiscal incentives, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) has approved the immediate and temporary implementation of work-from-home arrangements.
Pakistan – Introduced energy-saving measures, including reduced working hours in some sectors. Schools were reopened on April 1st.
Bangladesh – Implementing fuel rationing and managing energy use to maintain supply.
Sri Lanka - declared every Wednesday a national holiday for public institutions, to conserve energy. The four-day week has since been halted; public institutions are returning to the normal five-day work week.
South Korea – Encouraging nationwide energy conservation measures
Vietnam - Encouraging businesses and public sector organisations to adopt remote working arrangements in order to reduce fuel consumption.
India - While the Indian government has not mandated remote working arrangements to conserve fuel, broader international advice has highlighted remote work and reduced travel as useful demand‑side responses.
Indonesia - Public-sector employees are working remotely one day per week while official travel is restricted and conservation measures expanded in public buildings alongside efforts to accelerate its biofuel programme.
Laos - Implemented remote-work and shift systems for public-sector workers while reducing school days from five to three.
Myanmar - Introduced mandatory remote work for public officials one day per week alongside rotational vehicle-use rules and fuel-quota systems.
Nepal - Experimental measures such as reduced school/government days to conserve energy have been mentioned in emerging summaries of global impact (e.g., “two‑day weekend” to cut energy use).
Malaysia - Malaysian government workers in ministries, agencies, and state-linked companies will work from home starting April 15, 2026, as a formal energy-saving policy.
Madagascar - Madagascar’s government has declared a nationwide state of energy emergency for 15 days on 7th April in response to significant disruptions in fuel and energy supply linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Thailand - Reducing office energy use, including air-conditioning limits, relaxed dress codes, and flexible/remote working. The Prime Minister has publicly urged workers to adopt work‑from‑home arrangements as part of nationwide energy‑saving and fuel‑conservation measures.
What this means:
These measures are precautionary and aimed at managing demand
There is no widespread global fuel shortage as yet, but supply concerns and price volatility are having an impact
Effects vary by country, depending on reliance on imported energy
Most countries continue to operate as normal, although some may experience higher costs, policy changes, or temporary adjustments to energy use.
This page will be updated as guidance evolves.
What workers should do
If you are based in an impacted country:
Follow official authority guidance
Please rely on updates issued by:
Your local government authority
Civil defence or emergency management services
Official aviation authorities (if travelling)
Follow any instructions relating to:
Shelter-in-place guidance
Movement restrictions
Airspace or airport closures
Security advisories
Avoid relying on unverified social media reports.
Monitor travel carefully
If you are travelling or planning to travel, you may experience disruption due to airspace closures. Some practical tips include:
Checking directly with your airline before departing for the airport.
Monitoring official airport websites and channels for live updates.
Allowing for sudden cancellations or rerouting.
Keep Mauve updated regarding your safety and location
As your Employer of Record provider, it is very important that we know you are safe, and are aware of your physical working location.
If based in an impacted country, please contact us immediately at:
In your email, please confirm you are safe. Please let us know as soon as possible if you:
Relocate temporarily (even within the same country)
Leave the country
Anticipate relocating due to uncertainty
Experience travel disruption affecting your work location
Change your emergency contact details.
Keeping us up to date with this information ensures we can remain compliant with local employment regulations and provide appropriate support to you, where needed.
Stay in contact with your line manager
Please remain in regular communication with your supervisor regarding:
Your availability
Any disruption to your working hours
Any temporary change in your location
Information for clients
If you have workers engaged through Mauve in the impacted region:
Please maintain close contact with your worker(s).
Inform your Client Manager as soon as possible if you receive updates about:
A worker’s safety
A change in physical location
Planned relocation (temporary or permanent)
If you are considering relocating a worker, even temporarily, please speak with your Client Manager as soon as possible, ideally before confirming arrangements.
Location changes may have employment, tax, immigration or payroll implications, and we can advise accordingly.
We are continuing to monitor official guidance and will proactively update you if local conditions change in a way that impacts employment arrangements.
It is recommended that clients with employees travelling to, from, or within in the region should:
Facilitate remote working arrangements when and where possible: avoiding unnecessary travel at this time is recommended.
Remain up to date with changes to air travel and government guidance: this is a developing situation and changes may happen quickly.
Allow for flexibility with travel arrangements: your employee(s) may be impacted by flight cancellations or schedule disruptions.
Liaise with Client Managers regarding worker visa and travel authorisation: there may be delays in visa processing and consular appointments.
Consular processing updates
Schengen Consulates
All Schengen consulates have postponed all scheduled visa appointments until further notice. No new visa appointments are being issued at present.
Saudi Arabia Embassy
The Saudi Arabia embassy continues to accept visa applications, however there has been a noted increase in application rejections. Applicants should expect heightened scrutiny during the assessment process.
Türkiye Embassy
The Türkiye embassy is accepting applications. Applicants who qualify for eVisa or Visa on Arrival are encouraged to avail of these routes instead of manual applications.
Japan Embassy
The Japan embassy is still accepting applications. However, authorities are strongly encouraging eligible applicants to apply via eVisa or Visa on Arrival instead of manual submissions.
Aviation updates
Airspace restrictions remain in place across several jurisdictions, and these limitations continue to affect flight operations across the region. A number of airports are functioning on a limited or phased basis, with several hubs gradually resuming commercial services through controlled aviation corridors. Some are prioritising repatriation and essential flights, and schedules remain subject to change.
Travellers who may require evacuation support should contact their embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up‑to‑date guidance.
Airlines are also adjusting their schedules in response to the evolving situation, with many rerouting or cancelling flights at short notice. Anyone planning travel should monitor their airline’s updates closely and be prepared for changes.
General advice:
Workers travelling within or through the region should check airline updates directly before departure and allow for sudden schedule changes.
Emirates: With the partial re‑opening of airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice. Please do not go to the airport unless you hold a confirmed booking for these flights.
Operating a reduced schedule due to partial airspace reopening
Customers with earlier bookings are being prioritised on available flights and should only proceed to the airport if they have a confirmed booking.
Transit in Dubai is only possible if the onward connecting flight is operating
Check-in points across Dubai are temporarily closed
Customers are advised to check flight status, review the latest operational updates on emirates.com, and check their email for any notifications about changes or cancellations to their flights before travelling to the airport.
Air Arabia: A limited number of flights to and from the UAE have restarted, subject to operational and regulatory approvals.
All airlines state that passengers should not travel unless they hold a confirmed ticket and are advised by their airline.
From 6th – 22nd March, limited flights will be operating between Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah to more than 40 destinations.
Flydubai: Flydubai is operating flights across its network with a reduced schedule.
Customers connecting through Dubai will only be accepted for travel from their origin if the connecting flight is operating.
Customers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking or official confirmation of a rebooked flight.
British Airways: British Airways remains unable to operate flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.
British Airways has scheduled flights from Oman's capital city Muscat to London Heathrow, on 10th, 11th and 12th March. These flights are for BA customers who are in Oman or the UAE with an existing booking.
British Airways extended flight cancellations to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31 and to Doha until April 30, while adding flights to Bangkok, Singapore and Maldives until April. A third daily flight between London and Mumbai will run in May. Flights to Abu Dhabi remain suspended until later this year.
Qatar Airways: Scheduled flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace by the relevant authorities.
Temporary authorisation has been granted for limited operating corridors for specific flights to and from Doha. Qatar Airways said these flights do not constitute a confirmation of the resumption of scheduled commercial operations.
Oman Air: Muscat Airport has announced that all passengers planning to travel from its facilities must now reconfirm their flight bookings.
airBaltic: Latvia's airBaltic says flights to Tel Aviv have been cancelled until May 31. Flights to Dubai are cancelled until October 24.
AirCanada: The Canadian carrier has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until September 7.
Air Europa: The Spanish airline has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until May 3.
KLM: KLM has suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until May 17.
Cathay Pacific: The Hong Kong airline has cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh until May 31. To cater for a surge in demand to Europe, it will operate extra passenger flights to London, Paris and Zurich in April.
Delta: The U.S. carrier has cancelled its New York-Tel Aviv flights and delayed the restart of its Atlanta-Tel Aviv route until September 5. It said the launch of its Boston-Tel Aviv route, planned for late October, has been delayed until further notice.
El Al Israel Airline: The Israeli carrier said customers who planned to depart Israel through April 18 have their flights cancelled, including relevant return flights. The airline is operating a limited number of flights to several key destinations.
Finnair: The Finnish carrier cancelled its Doha flights until July 2, while continuing to avoid the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel. The airline only restarts its Dubai flights in October.
Aegean Airlines: Greece's largest carrier cancelled flights to Riyadh and Amman until June 27 and to Tel Aviv and Beirut until June 26. The airline cancelled its flights to Erbil and Baghdad until July 2 and to Dubai until June 29.
Japan Airlines: suspended scheduled Tokyo-Doha flights until May 10 and Doha-Tokyo flights until May 11. The airline also announced extra flights between Tokyo and London on April 25.
Kuwait Airlines: The airline is resuming its flights to India via Dammam starting April 5.
LOT: The Polish airline suspended its flights to Tel Aviv until May 31. It also cancelled flights to Riyadh until June 30 and to Beirut from March 31 to May 30. The airline plans to operate its winter route to Dubai in October.
Lufthansa: Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways and Edelweiss suspended flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31, and to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran until October 24. Lufthansa Cargo is the same, except for the Tel Aviv suspension, which will last through April 30.
Malaysia Airlines: The Malaysian carrier suspended flights to Doha until June 14.
Norwegian Air: The low-cost airline has pushed back planned launches of its Tel Aviv and Beirut services to June 15. It cancelled Dubai flights for the remainder of the winter season through April 8.
Frequently asked questions – Workers
Q: Do I need to relocate?
A: Mauve does not direct relocation decisions. Please follow official local authority guidance and discuss any personal decisions with your line manager. If you do relocate, please inform us as soon as possible.
Q: What happens if I leave the country temporarily?
A: You must notify [email protected] as soon as possible. Working from a different country can have compliance and immigration implications, and we'll need to assess this.
Q: What if flights are cancelled or airspace closes?
A: Monitor airline communications and official aviation authority updates. Inform both Mauve and your manager if your working location changes as a result.
Q: Who should I contact for support?
A: Please contact [email protected] for employment-related matters. You should follow the guidance of local authorities and any emergency management services for safety updates. Try to avoid unverified information sources.
Frequently asked questions – Clients
Q: Do we need to suspend work arrangements?
A: Mauve is continuing to operate as normal, but we encourage you to make these decisions based on your business needs and worker safety, keeping us informed via your dedicated Client Manager. We’ll share any relevant local updates to support your decision-making.
Q: What should we do if our worker relocates?
A: Inform your allotted Client Manager as soon as you can. Temporary or permanent location changes may trigger employment, payroll, tax or immigration considerations.
Q: Can we relocate our worker to another country temporarily?
A: Potentially, but this must be properly reviewed, ideally before implementation. Please contact your Client Manager to discuss feasibility and compliance requirements.
Q: Will Mauve notify us if the situation escalates?
A: Yes. We are actively monitoring developments and will communicate directly if there are material changes affecting employment arrangements. We're also in touch with our local partners for any updates.
Ongoing monitoring and updates
Please be advised that, in the interest of safety, we are continuously monitoring:
Official government advisories
Civil defence updates
Aviation authority announcements
Local partner guidance
This page will be updated if:
There are changes affecting employment compliance
There are material changes to airspace or security conditions
Additional guidance becomes necessary
If you are a worker requiring support, please contact:
We will be happy to assist you.
Clients should contact their assigned Client Manager directly.