Human Times

European Edition

10th July 2025

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THE HOT STORY

Heatwave deaths highlight worker risks

A record-breaking European heatwave in late June, intensified by climate change, caused over 2,300 deaths across 12 cities, according to a rapid attribution study by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Researchers concluded that global warming made the event up to 4°C hotter and three times more deadly. An estimated 1,500 of these deaths could have been avoided without climate change. Most fatalities occurred at home or in hospitals, often unrecognised due to overlapping symptoms. While Spain, France, Greece, and Italy are tightening workplace safety rules—such as hydration breaks, schedule adjustments, and outdoor work bans—experts warn these policies are still insufficient. HR leaders should expect increasing regulatory pressure to adapt work conditions and protect employees from extreme heat exposure.

Bloomberg

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Heatwave work schedules proposed for Lisbon

The Lisbon Municipal Assembly has recommended a plan to adjust work schedules for outdoor municipal workers during heatwaves. This proposal, backed by the PAN Party, aims to protect workers exposed to extreme temperatures, particularly in urban cleaning and waste collection. António Valente, a PAN member of parliament, described the situation as "unacceptable and inhumane," especially following the recent heatwave that saw temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. He highlighted the need for action plans to mitigate risks associated with extreme weather, referencing Spain's existing legislation on protective measures for workers. However, some opposition members expressed concerns, with PCP MP Fábio Sousa noting the lack of negotiations with labour unions and Chega's Patrícia Branco dismissing the proposal as "climate activism."

The Portugal News Online

WORKFORCE

Older workers hold key to UK economy

The OECD warns that older Britons must work longer to prevent an economic slowdown. The UK's GDP per capita is projected to grow at just 0.41% annually until 2060, nearly half the previous rate. The OECD's Employment Outlook report states: "The United Kingdom is marked [from other rich countries] by the striking contribution that improving older worker employment could make." Currently, only 58% of those in their 60s are employed, and 15% of workers aged 55 to 64 experience job strain, which discourages them from remaining in the workforce. The report suggests that enhancing job quality and implementing policies to encourage the hiring of older workers could significantly improve employment rates. With the state pension age rising to 67, the UK aims to bolster its grey workforce, following successful examples from countries like the Netherlands. Retaining older workers could account for nearly 70% of potential improvements in the UK's overall employment rate.

The Daily Telegraph

Compensation chaos as Dutch rail strikes continue

Dutch train operator NS has received over 100,000 compensation requests from travellers affected by recent strikes that disrupted train services. The unions VVMC, FNV, and CNV are currently consulting their members regarding NS's final offer for a new collective bargaining agreement, with potential further strikes on the horizon. NS has informed affected passengers that processing these requests may take longer than the usual four weeks, stating they need “to handle each request with care.” Passengers can claim up to €25 for additional transport costs incurred due to the strikes, with claims accepted for up to three months post-travel. CNV director Henk Jongsma emphasised that the strikes were only suspended, not cancelled.

NL Times

Travel chaos looms as EasyJet strikes

Passengers flying to or from Italy may face disruptions today due to a planned 24-hour strike by EasyJet's pilots and cabin crew. The strike, called by Italy’s USB union, follows unsuccessful negotiations for improved wages and working conditions. Although EasyJet had not officially confirmed the strike as of Wednesday morning, Italian media warned of potential delays and cancellations for both inbound and outbound flights. As reported, the union's actions stem from "failed earlier negotiations" with the airline.

The Local Italy

HIRING

Fintech hiring fuels London growth

Fintech has significantly boosted job growth in London, with new vacancies in financial services increasing by 3% quarter-on-quarter, as reported by Morgan McKinley's London Employment Monitor. The demand for risk professionals has surged, particularly following recent cyber attacks on major retailers, prompting a hiring spree for compliance experts. Mark Astbury, director at Morgan McKinley, noted that “many firms remain cautious on headcount due to ongoing cost-cutting and economic uncertainty.” Despite a year-on-year increase of 14% in financial services vacancies, the market remains 11% below early 2023 levels, indicating ongoing challenges. The rise of AI is also expected to impact recruitment, reducing reliance on traditional entry-level roles.

City A.M.

REMOTE WORKING

Remote work numbers soar in Malta's ministries

According to responses from a parliamentary question by Nationalist Party MP Jerome Caruana Cilia, a total of 2,113 employees are currently working remotely across six ministries in Malta. Energy and Environment Minister Miriam Dalli reported 687 remote workers in her department, while Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri noted 343. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri mentioned 247 remote workers, and Economy Minister Silvio Schembri stated that 482 individuals are engaged in remote work, with an additional 101 in teleworking. Schembri highlighted a flexible policy allowing workers to utilise remote working days based on their job nature. Inclusion and Voluntary Sector Minister Julia Farrugia reported 164 remote workers, and Social and Affordable Accommodation Minister Roderick Galdes noted 89.

Independent

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

ASML drops diversity targets in US

ASML, the leading Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier, has announced the removal of its diversity and inclusion targets for its US employees to comply with local regulations. The decision aligns ASML with other European firms responding to an executive order from US President Donald Trump, who says diversity initiatives are discriminatory. ASML maintains that its hiring policy focuses on "the best available candidate for the job," and its diversity goals will remain intact in other markets.

Reuters

FUTURE OF WORK

Tech takeover: are humans obsolete?

Adam Dorr, a technology theorist and director of research at RethinkX, predicts that robots and artificial intelligence could replace nearly all human labour within 20 years. He states: “Technology has a new target in its crosshairs – and that's us. That's our labour.” Dorr's research indicates that the current wave of technological change will obliterate the labour market by 2045, similar to past transformations in history. He warns that while some sectors may allow for human-robot collaboration initially, ultimately, machines will outperform humans in most tasks. Dorr emphasises the need for societies to prepare for this shift, suggesting that new ownership and stakeholder structures must be explored. He believes that if managed well, this technological revolution could lead to “super-abundance” and significant productivity gains, but warns of potential inequality if handled poorly.

The Guardian

AI threatens entry-level jobs

The rise of AI is raising concerns about the future of entry-level jobs, with CEOs suggesting that as many as half of all white-collar positions could be affected. Aneesh Raman, a LinkedIn executive, noted that the bottom rungs of the white-collar career ladder are “breaking.” However, he also pointed out that there is no definitive evidence linking AI to the current instability in the entry-level job market. The disruption could lead to a shortage of skilled mid- and high-level employees, as companies may struggle to cultivate talent if entry-level positions diminish. To address this, educators and employers must collaborate to reimagine the talent pipeline, ensuring that graduates possess skills that AI cannot replicate. The urgency is clear, as the investment in AI is accelerating rapidly, and the time to adapt is now.

Washingtonpost.com

INVESTMENT

Auchan's tasty investment in Portugal

Auchan is enhancing its ready-to-eat food offerings with a €5m investment in its first food production unit in Portugal, located in Venda do Pinheiro. This facility will serve over 500 stores nationwide, producing a variety of meals including soups, salads, and desserts. The factory spans 1,900 square metres and will employ 61 workers. With more than 560 stores and over 11,000 employees, Auchan aims to strengthen its market position against competitors like Pingo Doce and Continente.

The Portugal News Online

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Apple loses AI chief to Meta

Ruoming Pang, a distinguished engineer leading Apple's foundation models team, is leaving for Meta Platforms, marking a significant setback for Apple's AI initiatives. Pang's departure follows a series of high-profile hires by Meta, including offers worth tens of millions of dollars to attract top talent. Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has prioritised AI, restructuring teams and investing heavily in infrastructure. At Apple, Pang's team, responsible for large language models, has faced scrutiny and morale issues amid discussions of using third-party models for Siri. The shift in leadership, with Zhifeng Chen now at the helm, reflects ongoing challenges within Apple's AI strategy, which is primarily overseen by Craig Federighi and Mike Rockwell. As competition for AI talent intensifies, Pang's exit could signal further departures from Apple's foundation models team.

The Japan Times Online

INTERNATIONAL

Retirement age rise sparks outrage in South Korea

As South Korea considers raising the retirement age, a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights the pressing issue of age-based discrimination in the workplace. The report reveals that the “peak wage” system leads to significant salary reductions for older workers. The study indicates that 95% of large firms enforce a retirement age of 60, affecting 3.1m workers, and contributing to high elderly poverty rates, with 38% of over 65s living below the poverty line. Bridget Sleap, the report's author, emphasises that these policies deny older workers the chance to continue in their roles, urging the government to stop punishing them for their age. Legal experts warn that merely raising the retirement age could exacerbate existing discrimination.

The Guardian

OTHER

Ancelotti sentenced for tax fraud

Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazil coach and former Real Madrid manager, has been sentenced to one year in prison and fined nearly €400,000 for tax fraud. A Spanish court found him guilty of defrauding the tax office of over €1m in undeclared earnings from image rights during 2014 and 2015.

The Guardian

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