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APAC Edition
23rd December 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Shanghai's new parent-friendly job posts
Shanghai is encouraging local employers to set up "parent-friendly job posts" and adopt measures that facilitate a balance between work and family responsibilities. These positions will feature flexible working hours and methods, specifically targeting parents with children under 12, according to the Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. The initiative encourages various sectors, including manufacturing and hospitality, to offer such roles. Labour unions will assist employers in establishing parent-friendly workplaces, which may include facilities like breastfeeding rooms and childcare services. Zhang Lei, deputy director of Peking University's Institute of Population Research, noted that these posts help women balance family and work, but emphasised the need for improvement in both quantity and quality. The Shanghai initiative is notable for not limiting opportunities to female applicants, recognising that childcare responsibilities are shared among parents. Zhao Jing, a mother, expressed hope for more male-inclusive job listings to prevent marginalising women in the workforce.
REMUNERATION
OCBC to financially support junior staff
OCBC Group in Singapore is set to provide a one-off payment of $1,000 to approximately 4,000 junior employees, representing about 40% of its workforce, to alleviate cost-of-living concerns amid ongoing inflation. Lee Hwee Boon, head of group human resources at the banking group, said: “While inflation is forecasted to moderate in 2025, we acknowledge that cost-of-living concerns persist.” The initiative is part of a broader $7.5m plan aimed at supporting nearly 11,000 employees across 17 markets, and marks the second payout for junior staff, following a similar initiative in February 2025. Other banks, including UOB and DBS, have also announced financial support for their junior employees in response to rising living costs.
LEGAL
Fired SingPost CEO and CFO to contest employment termination
Singapore Post (SingPost) has dismissed its chief executive along with two senior managers following an internal investigation into mishandled whistleblower allegations regarding misconduct within the company's international e-commerce logistics division. The investigation found that the executives were "negligent" in their handling of the case and misrepresented information to the audit committee. Vincent Phang and Vincent Yik, the former chief executive and chief financial officer respectively of SingPost, said the reasons provided for their termination are without substantive grounds and that the process leading to the move was not conducted fairly. “We vigorously contest the termination of our employment, both on merits and on the grounds of procedural unfairness. We categorically reject any suggestion that we were grossly negligent, had behaved inappropriately or had sought to misrepresent facts at any point,” they said. The company has said that it will announce a new CEO in due course.
Female hospitality workers confront 'rife' sexism and harassment in industry
Caitlin Baker, manager of Canberra's Such and Such wine bar, has spoken about the pervasive sexism and harassment in Australia's hospitality industry. Recently named sommelier of the year at the Good Food Awards for NSW/ACT, Baker recounted an incident where a customer insisted on speaking to a man instead of her. Dash Rumble, co-owner of Such and Such, echoed these sentiments, sharing her own experiences of harassment and the challenges of reporting such incidents. Both women are now advocating for change through their organisation, Venus Vinifera, which aims to elevate women's voices in the sector. They are conducting a survey to better understand the issues faced by women in hospitality and are pushing for more education on sexual harassment within training programmes.
UK boss was sacked over Beijing spy warning
The former CEO of UK tech firm Imagination Technologies was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about a potential Chinese takeover that could threaten national security, an employment tribunal has heard. Ron Black alerted GCHQ, the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency, four years ago, fearing that the company's technology might be exploited for military or espionage purposes. Following his warnings, he and his wife, also a senior executive, were sacked, allegedly due to pressure from Chinese directors. The employment tribunal in Watford, near London, ruled in favour of Black, saying that his legally protected disclosures were the main reason for his dismissal. Compensation details will be determined in a future hearing.
WORKPLACE
Transforming Thailand's workplace landscape
Aligning workplace design with talent acquisition, technology, and sustainability is crucial in Thailand's real estate market, according to a new survey.  JLL Thailand's Future of Work 2024 survey reveals a significant demand for modern office spaces, with companies urged to reassess their strategies to attract talent and meet evolving ESG standards. "The influx of modern office supply in Thailand signifies a transformative shift in the workplace landscape," observed Michael Glancy, Managing Director for Thailand and Indonesia at JLL. The survey indicates that 65% of organisations globally plan to invest more in workplace sustainability, with 71% of younger talent prioritising environmentally friendly options.
TAX
Delhi High Court denies tax plea against Western Union
The Delhi High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department's claims against Western Union, affirming that the company did not have a permanent establishment (PE) in India under the India-U.S. tax treaty. The court ruled that the provision of software and liaison offices did not constitute a taxable fixed place of business. The judgment stated: “The software utilised for connecting the Indian agents to the mainframe, being intangible property, would invariably be excluded from the threshold of PE.” The court's decision followed a ruling from the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, which had previously favoured Western Union, saying that its income earned from customers outside India was not taxable under Indian law. The ruling emphasizes the importance of the India-U.S. double taxation avoidance agreement in preventing double taxation and promoting cross-border investments.
INTERNATIONAL
Starbucks baristas strike as wage talks stall
Starbucks workers from the Workers United union, representing over 10,000 baristas across 525 U.S. stores, began a five-day strike on Friday over unresolved wage, staffing, and scheduling issues. The strike, affecting locations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, has added locations in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, with potentially hundreds of stores joining by Christmas Eve. Union members criticize stagnant wages amid inflation and high living costs, citing unfair labour practices such as write-ups and firings. Starbucks claims minimal operational impact and asserts that the union rejected an unsustainable wage proposal during stalled negotiations. Meanwhile, the union filed new labour practice charges, accusing Starbucks of bad-faith bargaining. The strike comes during a busy holiday season, increasing scrutiny on Starbucks' labour practices as the company navigates a turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol. Similar labour actions have surged across industries, highlighting growing worker dissatisfaction. 
Volkswagen scraps plans to close German factories
Volkswagen has reversed its plans to close German factories, responding to union pressure and reaching a wage agreement that prevents redundancies until 2030. The deal allows for the socially responsible shedding of over 35,000 jobs, and aims for wage savings exceeding €15bn. Thorsten Groeger, negotiator for the IG Metall union, said that employees made "painful concessions," including the loss of bonuses, but monthly wages remain intact. Union leaders hailed the agreement as a "Christmas miracle" following 70 hours of negotiations, the longest in the car maker's 87-year history. "With the package of measures that has been agreed, the company has set a decisive course for its future in terms of costs, capacities and structures," Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said, adding "We are now back in a position to successfully shape our own destiny."
Workers' exclusion in Nigerian tax reform bill deliberations is condemned
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has slammed the exclusion of trade unions from discussions on the contentious Tax Bill currently in the National Assembly. Following its National Executive Council meeting in Owerri, the NLC emphasized the need for fairness and inclusivity in taxation, saying: “if labour is not at the table, it is effectively on the menu.” The Congress called for an immediate halt to the bill's progression, arguing that a tax system that alienates key stakeholders cannot foster economic development. Additionally, the NLC condemned the ongoing cash scarcity, labeling the 5% charge for cash access as an “exploitative tax on survival,” which disproportionately affects the poor.
UK employers eye ‘competitive advantage’ in hiring neurodivergent workers
UK employers are realising the “competitive advantage” of hiring people with conditions such as ADHD. Data shows a six-fold increase in job adverts mentioning terms related to neurodiversity since 2019.
 


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