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APAC Edition
9th September 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Shocking rates of workplace harassment in Korea
A survey by the Gapjil 119 civic group and Global Research has revealed alarming statistics regarding sexual harassment and assault in Korean workplaces. The survey, which included 1,000 employees aged 19 and over, found that nearly 25% of respondents experienced sexual harassment, with women reporting higher rates at 26.1% compared to 19.1% for men. Additionally, 15.1% reported sexual assault or abuse, with women at 19.7% and men at 10.6%. The survey highlighted that non-executive superiors were the most common perpetrators. A spokesperson for Gapjil 119 said: "Despite the establishment and improvement of laws to prevent gender violence over the past year, the effects have not been significant," emphasising the need for cultural change within organisations.
WORKPLACE
Cancer cluster investigation clears council building
The Liverpool Council building in south-west Sydney has been cleared of being a cancer cluster site following a comprehensive investigation. Launched in June due to concerns over thyroid cancer cases among five employees, the inquiry involved three expert organisations, including the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The expert reference group concluded, "The apparent cancer cluster, although unusual, would appear to have occurred by chance." No identifiable health hazards or sources of ionising radiation were found, and the building has been deemed safe for use. Acting CEO Jason Breton expressed gratitude to staff for their cooperation, saying: "I hope this information provides some peace of mind." The investigation highlights the complexities of cancer clusters, which can arise from chance rather than identifiable causes.
REMUNERATION
Thailand's government 'committed' to minimum pay hike
The Pheu Thai Party-led government says it is committed to raising the daily minimum wage to 400 baht, as confirmed by Caretaker Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The wage increase, targeting specific professions and areas, is set to be implemented on October 1, with further details to be announced. This wage hike is a key election promise, aiming for 600 baht by 2027. However, Thaweesan Wichaiwong, president of Khon Kaen's Industry Council, expressed concerns that the increase could negatively impact SMEs and lead to higher consumer prices.
LEGAL
Smiggle MD fired for 'serious misconduct'
John Cheston, managing director of  Australian-based retail store chain Smiggle, has been fired for "serious misconduct", parent company Just Group has announced. His departure, which Just has not elaborated on, comes ahead of his upcoming appointment as chief executive of Lovisa Holdings in June 2025. Law firm Giles George, which is representing the executive, said in a statement that “the allegations of misconduct are categorically denied by Mr. Cheston.”
WORKFORCE
Staff costs surge at HCLTech
HCLTech has reported a significant increase in employee costs, which now account for 56.8% of its revenue in FY24, up from 54.5% the previous year. This rise is notable compared to pre-pandemic levels, where employee costs were only 49.4% of revenue in 2019-20. The total employee benefit cost reached Rs 62,480 crore, compared to Rs 55,280 crore in the prior year. Pareekh Jain, CEO of Pareekh Consulting, observed: "Onsite percentage increased due to acquisitions and taking over people as part of large cost take-out deals." Despite the rising costs, HCLTech has moderated salary increases, with an average of just 3.4% for 2023-24, among the lowest in the industry.
STRATEGY
Malaysian electronics company to expand in Philippines
Malaysian electronics company VS Industry Bhd has chosen ALogis Santo Tomas in Batangas as its manufacturing base in the Philippines, citing its "strategic location and accessibility." The company signed a lease for 52,700 square metres of space with AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC), which provided essential support during the process. Datuk Gan, managing director of VS Industry, highlighted that this expansion is part of the company's asset-light model and risk management strategy. The new facility will focus on box-build assembly for consumer electronics, fulfilling orders from a key customer.
REGULATION
Sedric seeks to ensure staff communication compliance
Sedric is an AI-powered platform designed to help financial institutions implement compliance rules and flag possible issues. “We realized there was disproportionate pressure on mid-size organizations, combined with a new set of challenges for banks,” co-founder Nir Laznik explains. “We knew the rapid advancements in AI could address these problems in an entirely new way. This convergence of factors led us to create Sedric.” Sedric monitors a workforce’s outbound and inbound calls, chats, emails, social media DMs and instant messages, and aims to flag compliance problems, such as omitted disclosures, missed steps and misconduct, in real time. Sedric can automatically “mitigate” issues and provide coaching to the offending employees in many instances, Laznik says.
INTERNATIONAL
Molson Coors joins Lowe's, Ford in DEI retreat
Molson Coors is cutting back some of its corporate diversity efforts, joining a corporate retreat that includes Lowe's and Ford, and hastened by an anti-DEI social media campaign driven by conservative activist Robby Starbuck. The brewer said it would no longer participate in a scoring system by the Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group that gives scores to companies based on LGBTQ+ inclusion in their workplaces.  In addition, Molson Coors said it would no longer have supplier-diversity goals, which typically aim to buy supplies from companies owned by minorities or women. Molson Coors’s human-resources team has been working on changing its culture since March to evolve from “our work focused on DEI to a broader view in which all our employees know they are welcome,” the company said in an email to staff. It added: “The driving force behind this shift was the understanding that when all our people know they are welcome, they are more engaged, motivated and committed to our company’s collective success."
Swedish telecoms company Telia to lay off 3,000 workers
Telia, the Nordic and Baltic telecommunications giant, has announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,000 employees. The company aims to streamline operations and enhance customer focus, saying that it intends to "reduce layers of organisational complexity." The restructuring is expected to save around €122m (1.4bn Swedish Krona) in the latter half of the year, with annual savings projected at €228m (2.6bn Swedish Krona). Heli Partanen, CEO of Telia Finland, emphasised that the downsizing is crucial for profitable growth and improved customer satisfaction. Patrik Hofbauer, Telia's president and CEO, described the decision as "tough" but necessary for the company's long-term success. Job cuts will affect Sweden, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, and Estonia. Further details will be provided following union negotiations.
UK workplace disability claims soar amid mental health crisis
Workplace disability discrimination claims in the UK have increased significantly. There has been a 30% rise in cases referred to workplace experts Acas for conciliation, from 6,545 to 8,496 over the past two years. Joanna Sutton, a lawyer at Nockolds, noted: "While awareness about mental health issues has increased, in many cases workplace policies have lagged behind." The surge reflects a growing recognition of mental health issues as disabilities, contrasting with the overall 7% increase in all cases sent to Acas. The original disability discrimination legislation from 1995 primarily focused on physical disabilities, but the understanding of disabilities has evolved, with the phrase "not all disabilities are visible" gaining traction in recent years. The rise occurs amid government discussions on reforms to workers' rights, which have caused concern among business leaders. 
OTHER
Alibaba launches new 'digital technology' company
Alibaba has established a new company, Hangzhou Taobao and Tmall Digital Technology Co, under its e-commerce unit, Taobao and Tmall Group (TTG), with registered capital of 10m yuan ($1.4m). This new venture aims to engage in various activities, including the import and export of goods, sales of daily products, and technology services. The move signals TTG's intent to either expand its business or refine its focus. This development comes shortly after the State Administration for Market Regulation concluded over three years of scrutiny of Alibaba, amid efforts by Beijing to restore confidence in the private sector. TTG faces stiff competition from rivals like JD.com and Douyin, prompting a shift from low-cost strategies to enhance service and attract customers.
 


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