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APAC Edition
27th December 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Workers at China's BYD site in Brazil 'are victims of human trafficking'
Brazil's Labor Prosecutor's Office has said Chinese workers at a construction site in the eastern state of Bahia for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD are victims of human trafficking. The statement from the Brazilian labor authority, which came after a meeting with representatives from BYD and contractor Jinjiang Group, fuels a growing controversy in BYD's biggest overseas market. Jinjiang has previously rejected an assessment by Brazilian authorities that the workers at the site were operating under "slavery-like conditions." China's foreign ministry has said that China protects workers' rights and requires Chinese companies to operate in compliance with local law.  Brazilian prosecutors are expected to meet again with the companies on January 7.
WORKFORCE
Sydney trains back on track after union deal
Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations will proceed as planned after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and the New South Wales government reached a temporary agreement to halt industrial action that threatened to disrupt train services during the festivities. The RTBU had initially planned strikes over demands for a 32% pay rise over four years and a 35-hour workweek without reduced remuneration. These actions raised concerns about significant disruptions to Sydney's public transport during the holiday season, particularly on New Year's Eve, when over a million spectators rely on train services to attend the city's renowned fireworks display. In response, the NSW government sought legal intervention to prevent the strikes, citing potential risks to public safety and the economy. The Fair Work Commission was involved in hearings to address the dispute. A breakthrough occurred when the RTBU withdrew eight of its ten key industrial actions, aiming to resume negotiations strategically. The NSW government reciprocated by withdrawing its legal action, leading to a formal guarantee of no further disruptive measures during the holiday period. As a result of the agreement, additional train and bus services have been scheduled to accommodate the increased demand during New Year's Eve celebrations. However, the opposition has cautioned about potential future disruptions during school holidays and other major events if a long-term resolution is not achieved.  
Many Korean workers support raising retirement age
A majority of workers in Korea are advocating for an increase in the retirement age or the introduction of reemployment policies. A recent survey by Remember revealed that 88.3% of 514 employees across various sectors support these changes, primarily due to concerns about financial stability post-retirement. Notably, 92.2% of workers in their 40s and 90.2% in their 50s favour extending the retirement age. The survey, conducted from Nov. 7 to Nov. 12, highlighted that 33.7% of supporters worry about life after retirement, while 30.8% feel capable of continuing to work. Conversely, 9.1% oppose such measures, citing fears of reduced productivity and fewer job opportunities for younger individuals. Meanwhile, 48.2% of respondents say they are open to wage reductions of 10%-20% if the retirement age is extended.
LEGAL
Hawaiian Airlines employee dismissed for traditional Samoan tattoo
ABC reports on how Tracy Sialega-Fili, a Samoan-American, was dismissed from Hawaiian Airlines after receiving a tualima, a traditional hand tattoo, to honour her ailing father. The tualima signifies lineage and cultural identity, particularly for the Samoan diaspora. Sialega-Fili said: "I do feel like I was wrongfully terminated . . . there should be some kind of accommodation within this sort of policy that allows us as Polynesians to express our beliefs and our culture." The airline maintains that employees in guest-facing roles must not have visible tattoos. Sialega-Fili argues that if the airline can use Polynesian designs for branding, employees should be allowed to display their cultural tattoos. She warns that without policy changes, the airline risks losing dedicated workers who embody the spirit of the company.
CULTURE
Ola CEO is unhappy about absenteeism
In a recent email, Bhavish Aggarwal, the chief executive of Indian electric mobility company Ola, expressed his frustration over low attendance among employees, observing: "It's . . . disrespectful to those colleagues who genuinely work hard and contribute." He acknowledged the importance of flexibility in remote work but insisted on the need for accountability. Aggarwal announced that strict attendance policies would be implemented, requiring employees to be present in the office unless they have valid reasons for working from home. He emphasised that those misusing flexibility would face consequences from HR. This tough stance comes as Ola aims to streamline operations and drive growth, following the recent layoff of 500 employees. Aggarwal's vision includes enhancing efficiency while fostering a culture of discipline and shared purpose among staff.
TECHNOLOGY
Thailand gets ready for an AI boom
The rise of small language models (SLMs) and open-source AI is making generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) increasingly accessible to organisations in Thailand. Statista predicts the Thai GenAI market will reach $180m in 2024, growing at 46.5% annually to $1.77bn by 2030. Juhi McClelland, managing partner for IBM Consulting in Asia-Pacific, emphasised that "scaling GenAI will require businesses to choose the right models for each use case." The Digital Economy Promotion Agency's Thailand Digital Technology Foresight 2035 report anticipates the AI market will reach 114bn baht by 2030. Key factors driving GenAI adoption include open-source models, which offer transparency and flexibility. AWS aims to train 100,000 people in AI skills by 2026 to meet employer demand. However, challenges such as unpredictable costs and security risks remain. As organisations gain experience, the focus will shift from experimentation to real business outcomes, with significant ROI expected by 2025.
SUSTAINABILITY
Asia-Pacific firms boost sustainability efforts
The third edition of the Sustainability Counts report, conducted by the National University of Singapore's Centre for Governance and Sustainability, reveals that a higher number of companies in the Asia-Pacific are enhancing their sustainability reporting initiatives. The report highlights improvements in Scope 3 emissions disclosures, with 63% of companies reporting, up from 50% in 2023. However, Professor Lawrence Loh noted “substantial gaps in verification and transparency” in these disclosures. While 53% of the 700 companies studied have set net-zero commitments, only 18% have verified their targets through the Science-Based Targets initiative. The report underscores the need for robust governance frameworks and actionable climate strategies, observing: “We will need to continue building ‘muscles' in better climate risks quantification.” Overall, the findings indicate progress but also highlight significant areas for improvement in sustainability practices across the region.
INTERNATIONAL
Amazon's office return plan hits a snag
Amazon is delaying its return-to-office mandate for thousands of workers. Originally starting next month, the company was to require that all employees come back to the office five days a week, in a notable deviation of the hybrid policy that is common across the tech sector. The company has informed personnel in cities including Austin, Dallas, and Phoenix that their return dates may be delayed by up to four months. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has previously emphasized the need for a full-time return to strengthen company culture, but some employees suspect it may be a strategy to reduce workforce numbers. An Amazon spokesperson said that in most cases, the return-to-office delays are the result of reconfigurations of buildings that had been laid out to accommodate part-time remote workers, rather than a lack of available office space. Meanwhile, in response to Amazon’s return-to-office policy, nearly half its office workers are looking for new jobs, according to the Strategic Organizing Center’s survey of more than 1,000 corporate employees, Fast Company reports. The Strategic Organizing Center is a labor union coalition that aims to hold corporations accountable through research and campaigns.
Argentina restaurant run largely by neurodivergent people
In Buenos Aires, Alamesa restaurant is pioneering a new model of workplace inclusion for neurodivergent individuals. Founded by Dr. Fernando Polack, whose daughter Julia is autistic, the restaurant aims to provide meaningful employment opportunities for those often overlooked in traditional job markets. “When you go to work and have a purpose, it changes your life,” said Alejandra Ferrari, mother of employee Nacho Fernández Suárez. Alamesa employs around 40 neurodivergent staff, and fosters a supportive environment where everyone can contribute. The restaurant's unique approach includes colour-coded ingredients for those with reading difficulties and a soundproof atmosphere to accommodate sensory sensitivities. Despite economic challenges in Argentina, Alamesa has gained popularity, with even Pope Francis praising its contributions to society.
Champagne workers face dire conditions
An investigation by the Guardian reveals alarming conditions for workers in France's champagne industry, notably in the town of Épernay. Many workers, primarily from West Africa and Eastern Europe, are reportedly underpaid and forced to sleep on the streets or in makeshift shelters. One worker, Youniss, expressed uncertainty about his living situation, responding “outside” when asked where he would sleep. Despite the champagne industry generating €6bn in revenue last year, workers are often paid below the French minimum wage, with some receiving as little as €80 a day for extensive hours. José Blanco, secretary general of the General Confederation of Labour, condemned the situation, saying: “It's greed. The grapes are selling for €10 to €12 a kilo, so it's shocking to treat people this bad.”
Ghana's Supreme Court clears path for anti-LGBT law
Ghana's Supreme Court has unanimously decided to dismiss two legal challenges to new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a bill imposing three years in prison for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups. Fear and uncertainty has gripped Ghana's LGBT community, which already faces limited rights. The bill, considered one of Africa's most draconian anti-LGBT laws, has been condemned by the UN. Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela-Sky filed separate challenges to the bill to declare it illegal and prevent President Nana Akufo-Addo from signing it into law. President Akufo-Addo delayed signing it following the challenges to the bill. He said he would wait for the Supreme Court's decision. But after several months of consideration, the judges said the case couldn't be reviewed until the president had signed it into law. "Until there's presidential assent, there is no act," said Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who added that the two cases were "unanimously dismissed." 
OTHER
How we fell out of love with dating apps
The world’s biggest online dating companies are in crisis, as their target customers increasingly look elsewhere, towards niche apps or real-life meets — or even opt out of romantic relationships altogether.
 


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