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Recent Editions
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Human Times
North America
Apple stands firm on diversity policies

Apple's board has urged shareholders to reject a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes. The board, including CEO Tim Cook, said: "The proposal is unnecessary as Apple already has a well-established compliance program," saying that it would restrict the company's operational management. The board said the tech giant "is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, or promoting on any basis protected by law." Apple added that the proposal "inappropriately attempts to restrict Apple's ability to manage its own ordinary business operations, people and teams, and business strategies," and accuses the think-tank of trying to "micromanage" the company.

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Human Times
UK
Apprenticeships are down a third in a decade

Apprenticeships in the UK have seen a significant decline, dropping by nearly a third over the past decade. The government's introduction of a levy on businesses aimed at promoting training has failed to reverse this trend, with a 14% decrease at large firms alone. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reports that fewer employers are providing training, despite a doubling of skill shortage vacancies. Analysis by the Social Market Foundation also suggests that many companies are using the £2.5bn fund to train existing executives rather than creating opportunities for young people.

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Human Times
Europe
Dutch government cracks down on illegal workers

The Dutch government is considering custodial sentences for job agencies and employers who hire illegal workers from outside the EU, as the number of such workers continues to rise. Chief labour inspector Marijke Kaptein observed: “What we are seeing is that there are not enough European workers to go around.” Currently, between 600,000 and 800,000 foreign workers are employed in low-skilled jobs in the Netherlands, a number that grows by between 40,000 to 50,000 annually. Exploitation of these workers is prevalent, with inadequate housing and threats of dismissal for illness. Social affairs minister Eddy van Hijum agrees that the issue needs addressing. “I think that we in the Netherlands have become too dependent on cheap labour. Far too many sectors have become addicted to labour migration as a solution to their problem . . . We will no longer accept that cheap labour and abuses are the image of the future.”

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Human Times
Middle East
IMF chief sees steady growth in 2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects to see steady global growth and continuing disinflation in 2025, according to its latest World Economic Outlook. IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva suggested that governments need to cut fiscal spending and adopt reforms to boost growth. She said: “Countries cannot borrow their way out. They can only grow out of this problem.” In October, the IMF raised its 2024 economic growth forecasts for the US, Brazil and Britain but cut them for China, Japan and the euro zone. It also left its forecast for 2024 global growth unchanged at the 3.2% projected in July. The IMF also lowered its global forecast for 3.2% growth in 2025 and warned that global medium-term growth would slip to 3.1% in five years.

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