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APAC Edition
22nd October 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Australia's backpacker workforce at risk: Proposed changes to WHM visa spark concerns
Australia's Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa has long been a vital source of labour for the agriculture, hospitality, and tourism sectors, attracting over 200,000 workers annually from 40 countries. The visa's 88-day work requirement, which compels travellers to work in regional and remote areas to extend their stay, ensures that industries like horticulture, which rely heavily on backpackers, have a steady workforce. However, proposed changes under the federal government's regional migration review, which could eliminate the work requirement, have raised concerns among industry leaders. Reports suggest that without the regional work mandate, rural economies could lose up to $203m per year, alongside thousands of jobs. Farmers fear that fewer backpackers would opt for physically demanding agricultural jobs, further exacerbating labour shortages. Critics of the current system argue that the existing requirements have also led to worker exploitation. The debate continues as stakeholders await the outcome of the review, which could reshape the future of Australia’s regional labour market.
WORKFORCE
Germany opens doors for Indian talent
Germany is set to significantly increase the number of skilled labour visas for Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 annually, as announced by ambassador Philipp Ackermann. The move aims to address a growing workforce shortage in Germany, which currently has 570,000 unfilled job vacancies. Ackermann stated, “Germany needs skilled labour on many levels like IT engineers, bus drivers, and caregivers.” The increase in visas will support sectors such as information technology, nursing, and caregiving. Additionally, India and Germany are expected to sign a pact on labour mobility and skill recognition, marking a significant step in their strategic partnership. This agreement is part of the G20 Skills-based migration pathways framework, which aims to enhance job opportunities for skilled professionals globally. The partnership also focuses on climate change and military cooperation, with plans for joint exercises and projects in defence production.
Thailand tackles child labour concerns
The Labour Ministry of Thailand is taking decisive steps to remove fishmeal, fish oil, and animal feed from the US government's 2024 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor, as stated by Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The US Department of Labor's recent publication of the 2024 TVPRA and EO Lists has raised concerns about the impact on Thailand's fisheries and pet food exports, valued at over US$1bn annually. A working group, including representatives from the Thai Tuna Industry Association and the Thai Pet Food Trade Association, has been formed to strategise the removal of these products. Mr Phumiphat noted: "Over the past two years, Thailand has made some progress in eliminating child and forced labour," highlighting the removal of shrimp products from both lists. The ministry aims to ensure all Thai products are compliant with international labour standards.
Job market booms: EPFO enrolls record number of new members
In August 2024, India's Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) reported a significant increase in new member additions, rising by 9.07% to 18.53 lakh compared to the previous year. The data revealed that approximately 9.30 lakh new members were enrolled, marking a 0.48% increase from August 2023. This growth is attributed to enhanced employment opportunities and successful outreach initiatives. Notably, the 18-25 age group accounted for 59.26% of new memberships, with 8.06 lakh additions in this demographic. The report also highlighted a year-on-year increase of 14.03% in members who exited and rejoined EPFO, indicating a trend of job switching while maintaining social security. Female member additions reached around 2.53 lakh, reflecting a 3.75% growth, showcasing a shift towards a more inclusive workforce. Maharashtra led the states with a 20.59% share of new members. The EPFO data is provisional, as it is continuously updated.
Austria promotes employment program to Filipino tech professionals
WORK in Austria, a division of the Austrian Business Agency (ABA), will showcase its employment program at the Geeks On A Beach (Goab) conference in Cebu, Philippines, on November 14-15, 2024. The initiative aims to attract Filipino tech professionals and entrepreneurs by highlighting Austria as a prime destination for skilled talent, offering a stable economy, high standard of living, and attractive working conditions. With over 30,000 Filipinos already residing in Austria, the two countries have strengthened ties through a 2023 memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in recruiting skilled workers. WORK in Austria provides free services to assist professionals in transitioning to employment in Austria, while the Philippines has opened a Migrant Workers Office in Vienna to support Filipinos abroad.
LEGAL
Qantas faces hefty compensation bill
Qantas has been ordered to pay $170,000 in compensation to three workers who were unlawfully dismissed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The High Court previously ruled that the airline acted illegally when it stood down 1,700 ground crew members in August 2020. Justice Michael Lee of the Federal Court in Sydney determined the compensation amounts for the three test cases to be $30,000, $40,000, and $100,000 for "non-economic loss". The airline will also need to negotiate a final compensation figure for the income lost by the 1,700 sacked staff, which is expected to total tens of millions of dollars. The case will return to court in November for further proceedings.
HIRING
Exit interviews evolve post-pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed workplace dynamics, including the process of exit interviews. Traditionally held face-to-face in an office setting, these interviews have been adapted to the changing environment. Sharon Salim, a business correspondent, notes that "most sessions were conducted face to face" prior to the pandemic, highlighting the shift in approach as organisations seek to maintain relevance and efficiency in their exit processes. This evolution reflects broader changes in how companies engage with employees, ensuring that exit interviews remain effective in gathering valuable feedback.
PRODUCTIVITY
AI boosts productivity for organisations
According to the "Industry 5.0 and AI report" by BML Munjal University, 44% of organisations have reported a significant increase in productivity due to artificial intelligence integration. The report highlights that 21% of organisations see AI as crucial for innovation, particularly in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and marketing. Pratik Modi, Dean of the School of Management at BML Munjal University, stated: "As organisations embrace this new era, the report's findings offer a roadmap for integrating AI while prioritising ethical standards and fostering human creativity." However, challenges remain, with 34% of organisations facing a shortage of AI-trained personnel, hampering their ability to fully utilise AI's potential. The report underscores the importance of ethical AI governance, with 38.3% of organisations adopting guidelines to ensure transparency.
Free meals fuel Google’s innovation
In a recent interview on ‘The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations’, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai discussed the impact of free meals on employee productivity and innovation. He stated that these meals "spark creativity" and "create community," emphasising that the benefits significantly outweigh the costs. Pichai recalled how many innovative ideas emerged from casual conversations in Google’s cafés, noting, “the benefit that comes out of that dwarfs the costs associated with it.” Additionally, he revealed that nearly 90% of candidates offered jobs at Google accept them, highlighting the company's appeal. When discussing entry-level hires, Pichai mentioned that they seek "superstar software engineers" who are adaptable and eager to learn.
TECHNOLOGY
AI roles surge as demand grows
With more companies embracing artificial intelligence (AI), the demand for data science, data engineering, DevOps, and cloud computing roles is projected to outpace other tech positions in FY25, according to TeamLease Digital. Neeti Sharma, chief executive of TeamLease Digital, stated that "the demand for AI-related roles will increase 17% in the current fiscal and about 25% in FY26." The analysis highlights a significant rise in the need for machine learning skills, with 69% of data scientist job postings requiring these skills in FY24. Additionally, the demand for natural language processing skills has surged from 5% in 2024 to 19% in 2025, reflecting a shift towards AI-driven solutions. The migration to cloud infrastructures is also boosting hiring in cloud engineering and development roles.
Intern's sabotage claims debunked by ByteDance
ByteDance terminated an unnamed intern in August for "maliciously interfering" with a model training project, following speculation on social media. The company clarified that the intern's actions did not impact its commercial projects or artificial intelligence (AI) models. ByteDance stated that claims of significant losses due to the intern's actions were exaggerated, asserting that the intern lacked experience with the AI Lab. An audio recording surfaced, allegedly featuring the intern admitting to uploading "malicious code," but this was disputed by another GitHub repository claiming the audio was faked. The intern had previously interned at SenseTime and the University of Oxford's Torr Vision Group.
TRADE
China opens doors to Africa
In a significant move to strengthen economic ties with Africa, China has announced duty-free access for 100% of products from 33 African nations. The initiative aims to reduce cost barriers for African goods entering the Chinese market, enhancing their competitiveness. Ye Hailin, dean of the China-Africa Institute, stated: "By opening up our markets and eliminating tariffs on all products from these least developed African countries, we aim to further catalyse industrialisation and prosperity in Africa through enhanced trade". Trade between China and Africa reached a record $282bn in 2023, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous year. However, challenges remain, as many African countries primarily export raw materials while importing finished goods from China, leading to trade imbalances. The zero-tariff policy is expected to create a more balanced trading environment and support the development priorities of the Global South.
 


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