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Recent Editions
Human Times
North America
Recent layoffs, especially in technology, are increasingly being linked to artificial intelligence, leaving workers uneasy about future job prospects. Companies often cite broader restructuring or economic pressures rather than AI alone, but several have mentioned shifting resources toward automation, AI tools or AI-focused roles. Cisco plans to cut under 4,000 jobs while prioritising AI-era investment, with chief executive Chuck Robbins saying winning companies will need “focus, urgency, and the discipline to continuously shift investment.” Block, Dow, Pinterest and Lufthansa have also tied job reductions to AI, digitalisation or streamlined operations. Meanwhile, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are cutting roles while committing major spending to AI, raising questions over whether new technology will create enough future jobs to offset current losses.
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Human Times
UK
A survey published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) says employers in the UK are prioritising cost management over growth as indicators of employer confidence hold close to record lows. Meanwhile, workers are likely to see inflation eat into their pay in the year ahead. Planned pay awards were mostly around 3% for the next 12 months - unchanged from levels over the past two years but below most forecasts for inflation growth. The CIPD survey of 2,049 employers was conducted between March 23 and April 23. James Cockett, senior labour market economist at the CIPD and author of the report, said: “With so much happening externally, organisations should focus on the areas they can directly influence. This means taking a proactive approach to workforce planning and ensuring investment in technologies such as AI is supported by the right mix of people, skills, and systems to deliver meaningful productivity gains.”
Full Issue
Human Times
Europe
A survey published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) says employers in the UK are prioritising cost management over growth as indicators of employer confidence hold close to record lows. Meanwhile, workers are likely to see inflation eat into their pay in the year ahead. Planned pay awards were mostly around 3% for the next 12 months - unchanged from levels over the past two years but below most forecasts for inflation growth. The CIPD survey of 2,049 employers was conducted between March 23 and April 23. James Cockett, senior labour market economist at the CIPD and author of the report, said: “With so much happening externally, organisations should focus on the areas they can directly influence. This means taking a proactive approach to workforce planning and ensuring investment in technologies such as AI is supported by the right mix of people, skills, and systems to deliver meaningful productivity gains.”
Full Issue
Human Times
Middle East
Thousands of Pakistani Shia Muslims have been deported from the UAE amid rising regional tensions. Many deportees reported being detained without explanation and sent back to Pakistan, often after years of work in the UAE. Hussain Turi, a deportee, said: "They did not tell us any reason. But we understood. Our only crime is being Shia." Community leaders estimate that up to 15,000 Shia may have been affected. Pakistan's government, however, denies claims that Gulf states are specifically targeting Shia workers. “Having gone through the details and data, it is necessary to state that all such reporting is malafide and part of vicious propaganda by vested interests,” Pakistan's interior ministry said, adding that no country- or sect-specific deportations are being carried out, including in the UAE.
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