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APAC Edition
13th August 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Push for clampdown on sexual harassment NDAs in Australian workplaces
Radical changes are being proposed in Australian workplaces to better support victims of sexual harassment. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has released a new discussion paper on the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in settling sexual harassment claims. The aim is to clamp down on the potential misuse of NDAs to silence victims. The government will go through further consultation to see how changes to this complex area of the law could deliver better protections to victims of abuse. Some potential changes include prohibiting the use of NDAs unless requested by the person making the complaint, enshrining a "cooling off" period, and offering complainants the option to waive confidentiality in the future. Premier Allan is not pushing for an outright ban on NDAs, as some victims may want to retain the choice to have an NDA in place to protect their privacy. If the changes were to come into effect, Victoria would become the first state in Australia to alter how NDAs are used in sexual harassment claims.
WORKFORCE
Youth unemployment hits 15-year low and is expected to continue falling
Youth unemployment worldwide reached a 15-year low last year, with 64.9 million people aged between 15 and 24 unemployed, according to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO predicts that youth unemployment rates will continue to decrease through 2025, although Asia has experienced slower growth in this area. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven demand for youth labour, resulting in improved market conditions. However, youth unemployment rates in the Arab States, East Asia, and South-East Asia and the Pacific were higher in 2023 compared to 2019. The ILO also highlighted the need for job creation in Africa due to its younger population. "The imminent 'youthquake' in Africa means job creation is becoming a critical issue for social justice and the future of the global economy," said the ILO.
Asia-Pacific countries face rapid aging process
Several Asia-Pacific countries are experiencing a rapid aging process, with the transition from an aging society to an aged society expected to take only 19 to 25 years, China Daily reports. This demographic shift is reshaping economies in the region and introducing uncertainty into long-term economic and fiscal policy planning. As people age, their productivity tends to fall, but this is offset by technological progress. Aging societies also exhibit a shift in consumption patterns and changes in labour force participation. Policymakers struggle to quantify the economic impact of aging due to multiple factors working in opposing directions. However, governments can take action to soften the negative impact and boost positive processes, such as reskilling and upskilling older people to retain them in the workforce.
Outsourced employees' strike paralyses patient services at hospital in Chandigarh
With 4,000 outsourced employees going on strike, patient services at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh have been severely affected. The strike has paralysed various essential services at the hospital, particularly the out-patient department (OPD), where patients faced difficulties in getting registered. The situation in the hospital wards was equally dire, with garbage accumulating due to the absence of cleaning staff. The strike has also impacted other critical services such as laundry, kitchen, and technical support. The outsourced employees included hospital attendants, cleaning staff, technicians, and security personnel.
HIRING
Apple supplier Foxconn hires 50,000 workers to meet iPhone 16 production demands
Apple supplier Foxconn has hired 50,000 additional workers at its Zhengzhou factory in China to meet increased production demands for the upcoming iPhone 16. The recruitment drive comes as Apple aims to boost iPhone production by 10% this year, targeting 90 million units. The Zhengzhou facility, often referred to as "iPhone City," is responsible for assembling approximately 80% of iPhones globally. Foxconn began its hiring push in late July, offering increased wages and bonuses to attract workers for the peak production season. Apple's decision to boost production comes amid expectations of high demand for the iPhone 16 lineup, particularly due to new Apple Intelligence features. The increased production also follows signs of recovery in the Chinese smartphone market.
STRATEGY
Cisco to lay off thousands more in second job cut this year
San Jose, California-based U.S. networking equipment maker Cisco is preparing to lay off thousands of workers in a second round of job cuts this year as it refocuses on higher-growth areas, including cybersecurity and AI, according to people familiar with the matter. The number of workers who are affected could be similar to or slightly higher than the 4,000 employees Cisco laid off in February. Cisco is the largest maker of the routers and switches that direct internet traffic. The company employed around 84,900 people as of July 2023, according to its annual filing. 
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Singapore struggles with inclusive workplaces, report says
Cushman & Wakefield's Inclusive Cities Barometer 2024 report highlights Singapore's need to improve social inclusivity measures. The report reveals that 65% of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Singapore aged 15-64 were unemployed due to the lack of inclusive workplaces. Wee Wei Ling, executive director of sustainability and partnerships at Pan Pacific Hotels, emphasizes the ongoing process of creating inclusive workspaces and integrating PWDs into the workforce. Erwin Chan, CEO of Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations (Able), acknowledges the challenges in finding job placements for PWDs despite increasing efforts by employers. The report suggests that changes in corporate cultures are necessary to fully embrace PWDs.
CORPORATE
Payroll services provider CloudPay lands $120m in new funding
CloudPay, a payroll and payments services provider, has secured a $120m funding round led by Blue Owl Capital. The company, which handles payroll processes for 280 firms including Visa, Wayfair, and Wells Fargo, has seen significant growth in recent years. CloudPay offers a range of global payroll, salary payments, and pay-on-demand services, with real-time reports and customizable dashboards for payroll professionals and finance teams. The funding will be used to bring on new integrated partners and invest in automation and AI technology. CloudPay plans to make AI announcements later this year. Rho Capital Partners, The Olayan Group, and Hollyport Capital also contributed to the funding round.
RISK
Tennessee man charged with helping North Koreans land IT jobs to fund weapons programs
The US Justice Department has charged Matthew Isaac Knoot, a Tennessee man, with helping North Koreans secure IT jobs with American and British companies to fund Pyongyang's weapons programs. Knoot allegedly assisted the North Korean workers in remotely accessing software from unsuspecting companies that believed they were hiring American employees. The indictment serves as a warning to US businesses that employ remote IT workers about the growing threat from North Korea. Knoot faces charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and money laundering. North Korea has been sending thousands of IT workers abroad to generate funds for its nuclear missile program.
Seniors in China warned of fraudulent fundraising activities
The Supreme People's Procuratorate has issued a warning to senior citizens in China about the growth of fraudulent fundraising activities in the elderly care sector. Last year, 1,932 people were prosecuted for such crimes, with an additional 343 prosecuted in the first half of this year. The national office for combating fraud related to elderly care launched an initiative in April 2022 to address this issue. The top procuratorate highlighted that some individuals are using deceptive tactics to lure the elderly into investments linked to concepts like blockchain and equity investments. It also emphasized the risks associated with using personal property as collateral. Loan intermediaries and lending institutions play a role in facilitating these fraudulent activities. Offenders often misuse the funds for personal extravagance or to cover investment losses, making it difficult to recover the misappropriated assets. 
INTERNATIONAL
UK employers urged to replace after-work drinks at the pub
Getting together in the pub with colleagues is a dying trend in the UK due to remote working and the rise of sober younger workers, according to a report led by the Work Foundation, a think tank at Lancaster University, and the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, which examined the various challenges posed by multigenerational workforces. They have drawn up guidelines which urge employers to replace after-work drinks at the pub with daytime or virtual workplace socials to create “inclusive and healthy workplace cultures” for staff who don’t drink alcohol or who work from home. The report says: “Whilst ‘after-work drinks’ have long been a staple of socialising and workplace culture, in recent years there has been a shift in attitudes towards the appropriateness of centring workplace social activities outside of working hours or around the consumption of alcohol. This can include a need for virtual celebrations when teams are spread out remotely, or an emphasis on socialising within work hours to ensure that those with long commutes or caring responsibilities outside of work hours do not miss out.” The report is based on a survey of 1,167 business leaders from across the UK. It found that only one in five employers has policies on responsible alcohol consumption in the workplace, and most do not have guidance on inclusive social events. In an accompanying editorial, The Times says "Younger workers can benefit from the occasional drink with colleagues . . . The humble hostelry remains the best place to let off steam, imbibe the wisdom of elders and turn workmates into lifelong friends."
US tech workers sign letter backing Kamala Harris
A group of about 1,200 technology workers in the US have pledged their support for Kamala Harris' presidential bid. The group, Tech4Kamala, plans to unveil the signatories of a letter supporting Harris, describing her as an "archetypical innovator" and "champion of technology." The signatories, who work for major tech companies including Apple, Meta Platforms, and Salesforce, as well as freelancers, founders, VCs, and individuals in technology-adjacent fields, signed the letter in their personal capacities. Shannon Nash, one of the organisers, highlighted the opportunity to mobilise the tech community to show the collective power of tech professionals. The letter comes as a group of venture capitalists and investors have also expressed their support for Harris. Tech4Kamala and VCs for Kamala will collaborate to host a mixer for Harris in Chicago.
 


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