Unilever enforces global hiring pause due to 'significant challenges' amid Middle East conflict

In this article ULVR-GB Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Unilever signage on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, US, on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Global consumer goods giant Unilever is enforcing an immediate hiring pause as the firm tackles "significant challenges" amid the Middle East conflict. Unilever, the parent company of brands like Dove, Axe, Comfort and Hellman's, said its hiring freeze will affect staff across all levels and will last at least three months, according to a memo seen by Reuters and sent to staff last week. The Reuters report was published on Monday. "Macro economic and geopolitical realities, especially in the Middle ​East conflict... bring some significant challenges for the coming few months," Fabian Garcia, president of Unilever's personal care unit, said in the memo. In a statement to CNBC, Unilever said, "Reflecting the uncertain external environment, we have decided to put in place a temporary pause on our recruitment. We remain an agile business and will always adjust our plans as necessary." watch now VIDEO 4:26 04:26 What the Iran war means for affordability Politics The firm currently employs 96,000 employees and operates in 190 countries. Its core business groups include beauty & wellbeing, personal care, home care, and food. Unilever had already committed in 2024 to 800 million euros (roughly $918 million) in cost savings, which would see the reduction of 7,500 office-based roles. The company had delivered 670 million euros in savings by the end of 2025 and expects a further 130 million euros in savings in 2026, according to its latest financial report . The consumer goods sector is amongst several to be impacted by the U.S.-Iran war, which began on Feb. 28 and sent oil prices soaring to over $100 a barrel , raising concerns about the price of petrol and broader inflation across food, transport, and household goods. Airlines were among the most immediately impacted...