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APAC Edition
11th October 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Samsung India workers reject settlement offer
More than 1,000 striking workers at a Samsung Electronics facility in southern India have rejected a settlement offer made by the company on wage hikes. Striking workers have disrupted production at the factory near the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu since September 9. They are calling for higher wages and union recognition. Reuters notes that the plant is critical to Samsung's ambitions and accounted for roughly one-fifth of the company's $12bn India sales in 2022-23. Samsung workers earn 25,000 rupees ($300) on average each month and are calling for a raise of 36,000 rupees a month over three years, according to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Samsung says the average monthly salary of full-time manufacturing workers at the Chennai facility is nearly double that of similar local workers.
REMUNERATION
Hong Kong employees receive lowest pay rise since pandemic
Hong Kong employees received a modest pay rise of 3.2% in 2024, the lowest since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Lawrence Hung Yu-yun, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, expressed a "cautiously optimistic" outlook for 2025, predicting a 3.6% increase in pay packages. He observed: “The economic situation is unfavourable this year. But the worst time has passed, as we now have more inbound travellers and firms are also benefiting from interest rate cuts.” The survey, which included 186 enterprises and nearly 110,000 employees, revealed that over 8.3% of firms implemented pay freezes, impacting around 20% of employees. The social work sector saw the highest pay rise at 4.1%, while the retail and wholesale industry lagged at 1.4%. Local companies offered larger salary increases compared to multinational firms.
LEGAL
Korea's undocumented worker crisis worsens
The number of undocumented foreign workers in Korea has reached 54,800, despite government efforts to deport thousands annually. According to Rep. Lee Geon-tae of the Democratic Party of Korea, the figures have remained consistently high, with a net increase of 4,617 undocumented individuals in 2023 alone. The E-9 visa system, designed to address labour shortages in sectors like construction and manufacturing, has been criticised as a "gateway to illegal immigration." Experts argue that the lack of oversight post-entry is a significant issue, as employers are responsible for monitoring compliance. Win Zaw Soe, a Myanmar-born worker, highlighted the struggles faced by many, saying: "Three of my friends were forced to work in a slaughterhouse . . . they eventually ran away and became undocumented workers." Rep. Lee emphasised the need for improved working conditions and a stronger management system for foreign workers already in Korea.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Indian government's strategies to increase female workforce participation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the importance of flexible workplaces in increasing female labour force participation in India. Modi said that the country's success in the 21st century hinges on effectively using its "demographic dividend". The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has seen a rise from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 37.0% in 2022-23, yet it remains significantly lower than that of men. Historical societal norms and the burden of unpaid domestic work have contributed to this disparity. A report by The/Nudge Institute suggests that India needs to double its female LFPR to 70% by FY47. To achieve this, it is said that a three-pronged strategy focusing on active participation, interventions, and collaborations is essential. The government is working on a framework to introduce flexible work arrangements, particularly in sectors with a high concentration of female workers.
WORKFORCE
Barbie factory workers earn a pittance per doll
A UK investigation into Mattel's factory in Dongguan, China, has highlighted poor working conditions for employees producing Barbie dolls. Channel 4's Dispatches found that workers earn less than $2.00 per hour and are subjected to excessive overtime, which often exceeds legal limits. Despite Mattel's claims of investing in employee welfare and conducting regular audits, the Worker Rights Consortium argues that the report demonstrates a disregard for worker rights. Mattel has initiated an independent investigation into the claims.
CYBERSECURITY
Women lead the charge in cybersecurity
Women are increasingly essential in the cybersecurity sector, leveraging their strengths in risk management and attention to detail, according to Mary Aiken, chair of the Cyberpsychology Department at Capital Technology University. Speaking at the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, Aiken said: “The research says you get better strategic decision-making, you get better risk management because women are very focused on evaluating risk.” By 2025, women are expected to comprise 30% of the global cybersecurity workforce, increasing to 35% by 2031, as reported by Cybersecurity Ventures. David Hoffman, professor of cybersecurity policy at Duke University, highlighted the leadership of female students in cybersecurity competitions, and also acknowledged the challenges they face compared to their male counterparts.
INTERNATIONAL
UK government outlines major overhaul of workers' rights
The UK government has announced the details of its Employment Rights Bill, which it says will end the "exploitative" use of zero-hours contracts and "fire and rehire" practices. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner described the bill as the "biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation." The bill will bring forward 28 individual employment reforms, from ending exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices to establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for millions of workers. Statutory sick pay will also be strengthened, removing the lower earnings limit for all workers and cutting out the waiting period before sick pay kicks in. Most of the reforms will be subject to further consultation and will not take effect before autumn 2026. Reports suggest that Labour has pulled away from its pledge to give employees protection from unfair dismissal from the first day in a job, and that bosses will be able to fire new recruits after a warning of poor performance during a nine-month probation period. The government will also establish the Fair Work Agency to enforce new employment rights. The agency will protect against unfair dismissal and exploitative contracts, and include powers to inspect and penalise rogue employers. Ms Rayner said the legislation "will turn the tide on decades of insecurity and low pay while generating growth." 
KPMG US chief calls for urgent reform to halt slide in accounting ranks
KPMG’s US chief is urging the industry to make it easier to become an accountant in order to halt the “brewing crisis” in the profession. Paul Knopp has suggested that students should only be required to have four years of education, rather than five, to qualify as an accountant. He did not propose dropping the required one year of work experience or the passing of the CPA exam. “We have a ‘brewing crisis’ right now, with the number of students going to college and the number going into accounting, and we need to absolutely address it in the very near term," he told the FT. “I can’t over-emphasise, it’s not just the Big Four. We need more accountants in corporations and outside of the Big Four. The industry that we are in is systemically important to the functioning of the capital markets.” Government data showed that the  number of US accounting undergraduates has fallen to the lowest level in 15 years. The number of people taking the required CPA exam fell from 100,000 in 2016 to just above 67,000 in 2002, a 17-year low. 
A third of Romanian employees say they have never discussed mental and emotional health at work
A third (34%) of employees in Romania constantly postpone meals, doctor visits, family events or rest because of work, and a similar number (32%) have never discussed mental health in their teams, according to a report launched to mark today's World Mental Health Day. The report from Școala de HR (The HR School and Airost.ro) is based on responses from more than 3,500 employees and was conducted from September 1-15, 2024. “These results indicate significant pressure placed on employees, particularly those who are trying to maintain their performance in work contexts that do not provide psycho-emotional support. Thus, although mental health is becoming increasingly fragile for millions of employees around the world, employees in Romania continue to face major difficulties in addressing this issue at work. Despite a global increase in awareness, mental health remains a sensitive topic in Romania and, in many organisations, it is ignored. Our study is a call to action for organisations and employees in Romania. Mental health is not just an optional benefit, but a critical organisational priority for long-term sustainability and success. If we want engaged employees and a healthy professional community, we need to break down the barriers of silence and normalise discussions about emotional health at all levels of the company,” said Andra Pintican , founder of Școala de HR.
Greece gears up for nationwide strike
The General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on November 20, 2024, in support of World Day for Decent Work. The strike aims to raise awareness and advocate for improved working conditions, with GSEE emphasising that “dignity at work means dignity in life.” The Confederation says it is committed to fighting for fair wages, universal collective agreements, and enhanced health and safety measures. This action reflects a broader global movement for workers' rights and equitable work environments, highlighting the importance of safe and appropriate working conditions for all employees.
 


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