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North American Edition
14th November 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Some Korean workers return to Georgia factory after raid

Some South Korean workers detained in a September immigration raid at Hyundai's Georgia plant have returned to their jobs. The raid involved over 300 workers, primarily skilled engineers, who were detained for visa violations. Following negotiations, many were flown back to South Korea. HL-GA Battery Co., the plant's operator, confirmed that construction has resumed with a mix of new and returning workers. Mary Beth Kennedy, a spokesperson for HL-GA Battery, noted that some returning workers were among those detained.
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LEGAL

Boeing workers end 101-day strike

Striking workers at Boeing Defense's St. Louis-area facilities have approved the company's latest contract offer, ending a 101-day strike that disrupted production. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, representing about 3,200 members, sought better bonuses and retirement contributions. Boeing's revised offer included a cash incentive increase to $6,000, despite a reduction in the overall bonus. The strike, which began on August 4, affected deliveries of F-15 fighter jets to the U.S. Air Force and slowed production across various programmes. IAM officials confirmed the vote on Thursday.
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

MATC employees fight back against DEI-related layoffs

Four employees from Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) have filed discrimination complaints with the state Department of Workforce Development after their jobs were eliminated. The layoffs were part of a response to federal guidance that threatened colleges with loss of funding for considering diversity in services. The complaints allege that the terminations were racially motivated. Three of the four employees had previously raised concerns about discrimination. "MATC cannot hide behind the current administration's executive actions to justify its unlawful terminations," the complaints said.
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WORKFORCE

U.S. government to release abridged version of October jobs report

The U.S. government has announced that October’s jobs report will be incomplete, as it will exclude the unemployment rate due to the household survey not being conducted during the government shutdown. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, confirmed that only the payrolls data from the business survey will be published, with the missing household survey affecting just this month’s report. The shutdown halted data collection as workers were furloughed, though September’s delayed report may be released soon as its data was gathered before the shutdown began. Government departments, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are now resuming operations, with an updated release schedule expected shortly.
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HIRING

U.S. retail holiday job postings slump, Indeed says

The U.S. retail sector has seen a 16% year-on-year decline in job postings for October, according to a new report from the Indeed Hiring Lab, with major retailers like Walmart and Target yet to announce 2025 seasonal hiring plans, in contrast to previous years. Amazon and Catalyst Brands have confirmed seasonal hires of 250,000 and 13,000 respectively, but overall hiring levels are expected to fall below 2024’s 442,000, with the National Retail Federation forecasting between 265,000 and 365,000. Weak consumer sentiment, tariff pressures and reduced job turnover are cited as contributing factors. NRF chief economist Mark Mathews said: "What we've seen is a lot fewer retailers go public and state that they're going to hire 'X' amount of people." He observed that those companies may decide to add staffing later in the season after taking "a bit of a 'wait and see' approach."

U.S. has hired 50,000 federal workers under Trump

Scott Kupor, the federal government's human resources director, has said the U.S. government has hired 50,000 employees since President Donald Trump took office. The new hires are indicative of the administration's policy focus and typically in national security roles, Kupor said.
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STRATEGY

Verizon to cut 15,000 jobs in restructuring initiative

Verizon plans to cut approximately 15,000 jobs, representing about 15% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring initiative. The decision follows the appointment of Dan Schulman as the wireless carrier's new CEO. The layoffs will primarily affect non-union management, with over 20% of that group impacted. Additionally, Verizon intends to convert around 180 corporate-owned retail stores to franchised operations. Schulman said: "We will be a simpler, leaner and scrappier business," as he emphasized the need for cost transformation and a shift away from relying on price increases for financial growth.
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WORKPLACE

Dechert policy treats junior associates differently than more senior attorneys

Law firm Dechert is introducing a new in-office attendance policy that differentiates between junior and senior associates. Starting February 2, first- and second-year associates, along with Dechert's business services professionals, will be required to work in the office four days a week. In contrast, third-year associates and higher, including counsel, will only need to be in the office three days a week. The firm maintains its existing four-day workweek for partners. Co-chair Dave Forti said “There is no substitute for working together in person.”
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INTERNATIONAL

Legality of the EU's minimum wage directive is upheld

The European Court of Justice has upheld the EU's minimum wage directive, rejecting Denmark's challenge to annul it on the basis that it undermined the division of powers between the EU and member states. Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, a member of the European Parliament Employment Committee, said the judgment was a "landmark moment for workers' rights in Europe . . . It puts beyond any doubt that fair pay and collective bargaining are at the heart of the European social model. The Court has been crystal clear: governments must act to strengthen workers' bargaining power and ensure that every worker earns a wage that meets the threshold of decency." The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum wages became law in October 2022 and was designed to establish a legal framework to promote adequate statutory minimum wages and collective bargaining on wage-setting.

Thailand considers raising retirement age for civil servants

Thailand is revisiting a proposal to extend the civil service retirement age from 60 to 65, seeking to address the challenges of an ageing population and labour shortages. Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno has tasked the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) to study the feasibility of such an extension. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul supports the initiative, which aims to allow capable older officials to remain in the workforce. The OCSC's study will consider budgetary impacts and the effects on younger recruits, with findings expected by mid-December 2025. "We must prepare now," Piyawat Sivaraks, Secretary-General of OCSC, said.

European countries see increase in attacks against migrant workers

France 24 reports that several European countries have seen an increase in attacks on migrant workers as hate speech becomes more prevalent across the continent. Concern about the situation is growing in Romania, which relies heavily on non-EU workers in its manufacturing, construction, trade and hospitality sectors. Romulus Badea, president of the country's Employers' Federation of Labour Force Importers, said that while attacks against foreign workers have been isolated, he hopes they won't "become a phenomenon." The Council of Europe's anti-discrimination body, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), said last month in a report on Romania: "Issues of concern are the increasing presence of hate speech in political discourse, in the media and online." 
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OTHER

FDA lifts black box warnings on hormone therapies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun removing its strictest "black box" warnings from hormone therapies used to treat menopause symptoms. The decision follows a thorough review of scientific literature and input from an expert panel. The FDA is collaborating with drug manufacturers to revise product labels, eliminating references to risks such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Additionally, the FDA has approved two new drugs for menopausal symptoms. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said: "With the exception of vaccines or antibiotics, there's no medication that can improve the health of women on a population level more than hormone replacement therapy."
 
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