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APAC Edition
6th September 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Virgin Australia 'may have invaded employee's privacy by accessing hotel footage'
Dylan Macnish, a cabin crew member at Virgin Australia, has had his dismissal overturned by the Fair Work Commission after the airline accessed hotel CCTV footage and swipecard records revealing he organised a hookup via Grindr. The Commission's ruling highlighted concerns over workplace surveillance, with legal experts noting potential breaches of privacy under the Privacy Act. The case raises significant questions about the balance between employee privacy and employer oversight, particularly in safety-sensitive roles such as flight attendants. Fair Work Commissioner Pearl Lim criticised Virgin's investigation methods, emphasising that employees have a right to privacy during work-related trips. The ruling has sparked broader discussions in Australia about the extent of surveillance in workplaces, with unions advocating for clearer boundaries.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Thai company offers Tinder leave to employees
Whiteline Group, a marketing firm based in Bangkok, has introduced an innovative benefit for its employees: Tinder leave. The initiative allows workers to take paid time off to pursue romantic connections on the dating app. The company also covers the costs of Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum subscriptions, enabling employees to enjoy enhanced features. “Our employees can use Tinder leave for dating with someone,” the firm said in a LinkedIn post. The initiative aims to improve employee well-being. Management believes that being in love can lead to increased happiness and productivity. Employees wishing to take advantage of the benefit must provide a week's notice. Whiteline Group employs around 200 individuals.
WORKPLACE
Sebi responds to employee protest over work culture concerns
Sebi has responded to complaints from its employees regarding a 'toxic work culture' and unrealistic targets set by leadership. The Indian market regulator claimed that its employees were being misled by external influences, saying "We would not like to speculate on who those external elements may be or what their motives might be." Employees have raised issues about HRA allowances and the need for updates to the Management Information System for Key Result Areas. Sebi emphasised its commitment to enhancing employee capacity and maintaining high standards of performance and accountability, noting: "It is unfortunate that some elements have attempted to diminish the significant capabilities of Sebi employees." The organisation says it aims to address the concerns while ensuring effective market regulation.
WORKFORCE
Pressure on Nike grows over workers' rights
Investor pressure on Nike is intensifying as Norway's sovereign wealth fund supports a resolution aimed at improving working conditions in garment factories. The resolution, backed by a coalition of investors including Domini Impact Equity Fund, highlights the industry's failure to address "persistent rights abuses such as wage theft." Nike, facing declining sales and criticism over its supply chain practices, has seen its ESG rating downgraded by MSCI. The resolution seeks to encourage Nike to establish binding agreements with workers in high-risk sourcing countries.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
India's CSR list to be amended to aid big companies hire 10 million interns
India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs plans to amend Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) norms, allowing major companies to use CSR funds to provide internships for 10m young people over five years. This initiative, proposed in the Union budget, aims to enable the top 500 companies to cover part of the internship costs without affecting their profit calculations. Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said: “The PM Internship Scheme with a target of 10 million youth is a transformational initiative.” However, critics like Amit Mitra have raised concerns about the feasibility of such a scheme, labelling it a “non-starter” and suggesting that stimulating demand in the economy should take precedence. The internship programme is part of a broader government initiative with a budget allocation of ₹ 63,000 crore, addressing the pressing issue of job creation in India.
LEADERSHIP
Chow Tai Fook hires Loewe exec for luxury makeover
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group has appointed Gabriela Ferreira from Loewe to spearhead its global expansion and enhance brand desirability. Ms Ferreira, previously general manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania at Loewe, will oversee the jewellery retailer's efforts to penetrate Southeast Asia and other markets. The move comes as Chow Tai Fook revamps its logo and renovates around 8,000 stores to transition from a traditional retailer to a luxury accessories brand. The company has faced challenges, including a 47% drop in shares this year and a slump in consumer spending in mainland China, its largest market. An upgraded image is expected to attract affluent shoppers, as luxury brands like Hermès and Chanel continue to thrive despite economic downturns.
TECHNOLOGY
US, UK and European Union members sign first international AI treaty
The first legally binding international AI treaty, known as the AI Convention, has been signed by countries including European Union members, the United States, and Britain. The treaty, which has been in development for years, aims to address the risks associated with AI while promoting responsible innovation. Shabana Mahmood, Britain's justice minister, said: "This Convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law." The AI Convention focuses on protecting the human rights of individuals affected by AI systems and is distinct from the EU AI Act, which regulates AI within the EU internal market. The Council of Europe, an international organisation with 47 member countries, initiated the framework for this treaty in 2019.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Microsoft tackles AI bias with diversity
Microsoft's chief diversity officer, Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, talks with the BBC about the importance of diversity in addressing bias in artificial intelligence (AI). Following a PR crisis in early 2023, where its Bing chatbot exhibited troubling behaviour, Microsoft has pivoted to focus on inclusivity in AI development. McIntyre stated: "It's never been more important as we think about building inclusive AI and inclusive tech for the future." The company aims to ensure diverse representation among its teams to create fair AI systems. Despite challenges, including inherent biases in training data, Microsoft believes that embedding diversity and inclusion (D&I) from the outset can lead to more equitable AI technologies.
ECONOMY
World Bank's $68m lifeline for Pacific Island nations
The World Bank has approved a $68m programme aimed at preventing Pacific Island nations from losing access to the international financial system, which is crucial for tourism, trade, and aid. The funding will provide $9m each to eight Pacific Island countries to ensure cross-border transactions continue, especially as Nauru and the Marshall Islands face the exit of their last international banks. The initiative also aims to help these nations comply with international financial standards.
INTERNATIONAL
Boeing’s factory floor workers feel 'overmanaged and undersupported'
A dozen current or former Boeing employees who spoke with The Seattle Times, as well as interviews with 13 front-line workers conducted during the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the near-catastrophic incident in January when a panel blew off a 737 MAX plane mid-flight, have portrayed consistent problems on the factory floor. Boeing lost institutional knowledge during the pandemic and hasn’t yet caught up, they say. The company pushes workers to move quickly to get planes out of the factory, and sometimes ignores the correct sequence of work and neglects to document deviations. And upper management doesn’t want to hear their safety concerns. Boeing employees are “overmanaged and undersupported,” Patric Boone, a machinist who works in Boeing’s Everett delivery center on its KC-46 military tanker, says. “The house is on fire, and they’re concentrated on turning the lights off. They’re not seeing the problem.” Despite the challenges, some workers still believe in the safety of the planes they build, and emphasize the importance of how the company bounces back from its mistakes.
Canada proposes ban on ghosting
Proposed legislative changes in Ontario aim to prohibit ghosting by employers, requiring them to respond to job applicants they have interviewed. Shena Mistry, a career coach and founder of Own What's Next, emphasised that ghosting is "unprofessional" and highlighted the importance of open communication between recruiters and candidates. The changes to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) would mark a significant shift in Canadian hiring practices, ensuring that larger employers maintain transparency with applicants. Mistry noted that employers should treat candidates as they would customers, especially in an era where social media amplifies the consequences of unprofessional behaviour. She suggested that candidates follow up politely if they experience ghosting, but ultimately, they must be prepared to move on.
Young staff lead the UK's return to the office
Young Londoners are leading the charge in returning to the office, while older workers' preference for remote work is contributing to the UK lagging behind global rivals. In a study by the think tank Centre for Cities, London had a lower office attendance rate than Paris, New York, Singapore and Sydney. However, the UK capital was ahead of Toronto. Gen Z workers in London, aged 18 to 24, are present in the office an average of 3.1 days a week, compared to just 2.5 days for those aged 35 to 44. Attendance slightly increases to 2.7 days for workers aged 55 and over. Younger workers may prefer office settings because 43% of them report working best there, likely due to having less space and privacy at home. Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “The standard narrative is young workers are shirkers, but actually [they] are back in the office and it’s the middle or more experienced workers that tend to be less in the office.” Despite 95% of workers acknowledging the benefits of office work, such as collaboration and relationship-building, attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels in all surveyed cities.
Minister could ban Dutch sectors that exploit migrant workers from using them
Dutch Minister of Social Affairs Eddy van Hijum has indicated a potential ban on sectors that exploit labour migrants, particularly in the meat industry. In an interview with De Telegraaf, he said: "It cannot end with only agreements with no obligations with companies and sectors." Van Hijum is considering limiting the number of temporary workers in these sectors as an alternative to a ban. He highlighted the precarious situation of labour migrants, who often face immediate dismissal and homelessness due to employer practices. "Ultimately, you are passing the costs on to society," he said, emphasising the need for accountability in protecting vulnerable workers.
 


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