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Recent Editions
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Human Times
North America
Labor cost growth slowed to four-year low in late 2025

Growth in U.S. labor costs cooled unexpectedly in the fourth quarter, posting the smallest annual increase in four and a half years as easing demand for workers restrained wage gains. The Labor Department's Employment Cost Index rose 0.7% in the final three months of the year, down from 0.8% in the previous quarter and below economists’ expectations. On an annual basis, labor costs increased 3.4% through December, the weakest pace since mid-2021. Wages and salaries, which make up the bulk of labor costs, showed a similar slowdown, while a softer labor market was reflected in fewer job openings per unemployed worker. Despite the easing in wage pressures, higher import tariffs have continued to lift goods prices, keeping inflation elevated.

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Human Times
UK
Tesco boss warns of joblessness epidemic

Tesco CEO Ashwin Prasad warns that the UK is facing a "quiet epidemic" of joblessness at a time when over 9m people are economically inactive. With the unemployment rate now at a four-year high of 5.1%, Prasad urged the government to stop "tinkering at the edges" and implement significant changes to address the issue. He noted that many young people are particularly affected, with nearly 1m not in education, employment, or training. "We have been sleepwalking into a quiet epidemic that is keeping millions of people out of work," Prasad said.

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Human Times
Europe
Switzerland to vote on plan to cap population

Switzerland is to hold a referendum in June on whether to cap its population at 10m until 2050 by limiting immigration. The referendum has been triggered automatically because more than 100,000 citizens have signed a petition in support of a vote. Opponents of the move say it could threaten crucial agreements with the European Union and make it harder to attract foreign workers to fill labour shortages. The petition was promoted by the Swiss People’s Party, a right-wing party that holds roughly a third of seats in the Swiss Parliament.

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Human Times
Middle East
AI job postings surge in UAE

AI-related job postings in the UAE have increased from 5,000 to 10,000 between 2021 and 2024, primarily in white-collar sectors. James Randall, Middle East sales director at HireRight, noted that employers are competing for a limited pool of talent, leading to faster hiring timelines. Despite a global trend towards skill-based hiring, 84% of AI-related job postings still require degree qualifications. Randall emphasised the importance of verifying credentials and experience, saying: "Employers are placing greater emphasis on validating credentials . . . to ensure they are hiring genuine capability."

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