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APAC Edition
2nd January 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
New laws target wage theft offenders
New “wage theft” laws have come into effect in Australia, imposing severe penalties on employers who underpay their staff, including up to 10 years in prison and fines of A$1.65m. Murray Watt, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, said: “It's always been the case that workers would face criminal charges if they stole from their employer, so we think that it's only fair that employers who deliberately steal from their workers also face criminal charges.” The legislation aims to address wage suppression and protect vulnerable workers, particularly migrants. However, business groups, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have expressed concerns about the complexity of the Fair Work Act and the potential burden on compliant employers. The Australian Council of Trade Unions welcomed the laws, emphasising their importance in combating wage theft affecting over one million workers in Australia. Joseph Mitchell, ACTU Acting Secretary, observed: “Workers deserve every dollar of their pay.”
WORKFORCE
Taiwan launches ‘digital nomad' visas to tackle talent shortage
Starting in 2025, Taiwan will issue six-month visas to foreign digital nomads to address talent shortages caused by declining birth rates. The National Development Council announced the initiative to attract 400,000 foreign workers by 2032. With a fertility rate below 1%, Taiwan's population is shrinking, prompting the need for foreign talent. Liu Chin-ching, the country's development minister, highlighted that Taiwan has the best digital nomad environment in Asia, being recognised for its living conditions and its food.
WORKPLACE
Deskless workers in Singapore can opt for flexi-work too
The introduction of the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests in Singapore marks a significant shift for deskless workers in sectors like healthcare and construction. These guidelines, effective since December 1, allow both office and non-office staff to formally submit requests for flexible work arrangements (FWAs). The guidelines aim to enhance work-life balance, with various companies, including Tan Tock Seng Hospital and McDonald's Singapore, implementing flexible schedules to accommodate their employees' needs. However, challenges remain, such as the need for supervisors to adapt to these new arrangements and client preferences for full-time staff.
CYBERSECURITY
Data breaches plague Hong Kong in 2024
In 2024, Hong Kong experienced significant data breaches affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Notable incidents included Oxfam Hong Kong's breach, which compromised the data of over 470,000 individuals, and a ransomware attack on Widex Hong Kong, impacting 148,000 customers. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data reported that the breaches exposed sensitive information such as names, addresses, and financial details. The South China Athletic Association faced scrutiny after a major breach revealed personal data of 72,315 members.
AI-generated phishing scams target corporate executives
Companies including UK insurer Beazley and ecommerce group eBay are warning of the rise of hyper-personalised fraudulent emails containing personal details probably obtained through AI analysis of online profiles.
LEGAL
Indian Oil investigates allegations of bribes
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is investigating alleged bribes paid by Albemarle to IOC officials over a decade ago to secure contracts. IOC denied any involvement in the allegations and initiated an internal fact-finding review. Last year, Albemarle agreed to pay over $103.6m to settle charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The US Department of Justice revealed that Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly retain catalyst business with India's state-owned oil company. The company is believed to have obtained profits of approximately $98.5m.
INTERNATIONAL
Trump backs visas for skilled workers
US President-elect Donald Trump has sided with Elon Musk in a public dispute over the use of the H-1B visa, saying he fully backs the program for foreign tech workers that is opposed by some of his supporters. Trump's remarks followed a series of social media posts from Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who had vowed to go to "war" to defend the visa program for foreign tech workers. Trump, who has moved to limit the visas' use during his first presidency, told The New York Post that he favored the visa program, saying: "I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I've been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It's a great program."
Few UK employers have formal policies on infertility, managers say
According to a survey by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), only 19% of UK companies have formal policies to support employees undergoing fertility treatment. Ann Francke, the chief executive of CMI, highlighted the challenges faced by employees, saying: “Without skilled management support, the significant stresses of fertility treatment can lead to increased sick leave and retention issues.” The survey revealed that 63% of managers believe such policies are important, yet 35% reported no plans to implement them. Fertility Network UK’s interim chief executive, Sharon Martin, emphasised the necessity of these policies, noting they provide vital support and awareness around fertility struggles. The Workplace Fertility Campaign Group is advocating for legislative changes to ensure employees have paid time off for appointments, reflecting the growing need for workplace support in this area.
German childcare crisis leaves parents and businesses in the lurch
Germany’s kindergartens are in crisis, with staff shortages wreaking havoc in the lives of working parents, damaging the nation’s productivity and risking the future prospects of a generation of children.
OTHER
Bangladesh opens railway link
The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project in Bangladesh has officially opened, significantly reducing travel time between Dhaka and Jashore from 10 hours to just three. This 170-kilometre railway, built by the China Railway Group and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China, is expected to enhance economic development for 80m people along its route, boosting Bangladesh's growth by 1.5%. The project exemplifies the strong economic cooperation between China and Bangladesh, with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen highlighting its potential for greater social and economic benefits.
 


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