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APAC Edition
9th January 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Korea's women face employment challenges
Korea's employment and labour indicators for women have remained low among OECD members, according to a report by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). In 2023, the employment rate for Korean women aged 15-64 was 61.4%, with a labour participation rate of 63.1%, ranking Korea 31st among OECD nations. The report highlights that Korea has consistently ranked low in female employment since 2003, with the rate for women with children under 15 at just 56.2% in 2021, the lowest in the so-called 30-50 club, a group of OECD members with a population of over 50m and a per capita income of over $30,000. The FKI noted that Korea lacks flexible work environments and family care support compared to countries with higher female employment rates, such as Germany and Japan. It emphasises the need for "creating work environments that enable work-life balance" to improve women's economic participation.
HIRING
Overseas graduates sought by Chinese employers
Chinese employers are increasingly recruiting from abroad as Chinese graduates returning from overseas encounter challenges including mismatched pay expectations. The 2024 Chinese Overseas Graduates Employment Report by LinkedIn China revealed that demand for international talent in certain sectors has risen by 300% in the past 18 months. Wang Wen, founder and CEO of biotechnology firm SKYE MED, commented: "Overseas graduates bring unique perspectives that complement local employees and help teams generate more inventive solutions."
WORKFORCE
Thai employers reminded to register workers from neighbouring countries
Thailand's Labour Ministry has emphasised the importance of registering unskilled immigrant workers to ensure they receive healthcare benefits under the social security system. Phumipat Mueanchan, the ministry's spokesman, said that Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has directed the ministry to adhere to a Cabinet resolution from September 24 last year. Proper registration will enable monitoring of the workforce, ensuring contributions to the Social Security Fund for healthcare. Phumipat addressed criticisms from the opposition People's Party regarding healthcare access for immigrant workers, clarifying that the registration fee is 7,600 baht, not the alleged 20,000 baht. This fee includes various costs, such as a health checkup and insurance premium. The Labour Ministry now allows online registration, facilitating the process for Myanmar workers without needing to return home for verification.
WEF jobs report highlights need for upskilling
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its Future of Jobs Report 2025, in which it predicts that 170m new jobs will be created and 92m jobs displaced in the next five years. Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at the WEF, observed: "Trends such as generative artificial intelligence and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks. The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce."
REMUNERATION
Uniqlo owner hands Japan workers double-digit pay rise
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing will increase pay for full-time headquarters and sales staff by 11% in a sign that corporate Japan is loosening its three-decade-long resistance to rising wages.
LEGAL
Workplace Fairness Bill would 'provide protection for workers against discrimination'
Singapore Manpower Minister Tan See Leng has said that a proposed law to ensure fairness in the workplace will see job seekers and employees enjoy greater protections against discrimination. He stated: “Even as we take this next step in our workplace fairness journey, please also let me emphasise upfront that the [Workplace Fairness Bill] is not a panacea. It is a measured approach that seeks to preserve our current workplace norms, and guard against divisions in our workplaces and society."
Increased visa quota for migrant workers sees Korean shipyard conflict simmer
The Korean shipbuilding sector is facing unrest after authorities decided to maintain an expanded quota for migrant workers in the industry. Unions representing eight shipyards collected signatures from over 5,000 workers in December. They issued a statement saying "The government is trying to fill dangerous, low-paid and unstable job positions with migrant workers," while also expressing solidarity with migrant workers.
TECHNOLOGY
Digital Edge raises over $1.6bn
Digital Edge has raised over $1.6bn in new capital that includes around $640m of equity investment from both existing and new investors, as well as $1bn of total debt financing. The Singapore-headquartered data centre company says this financing will be used to fund its next phase of growth as it looks to meet the increasing cloud and artificial intelligence demands of its customers across Asia.
INTERNATIONAL
McDonald’s faces legal challenge from over 700 workers in UK
McDonald's in the UK is facing allegations of harassment against young employees. Over 700 current and former staff are taking legal action against the fast-food chain. Law firm Leigh Day is representing these workers, many of whom were aged 19 or younger during their employment. The claims involve discrimination, homophobia, racism, and sexual harassment across more than 450 restaurants in the UK. Alistair Macrow, McDonald's UK boss, described the testimony as “truly horrific" and admitted the company still receives one or two sexual harassment complaints weekly. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is also intensifying its scrutiny of the chain after 300 incidents were reported to it. McDonald's has already signed a legally binding agreement with EHRC, in which it pledges to protect its staff from sexual harassment. The claims come after a BBC report in 2023, in which workers spoke of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying in the workplace. That prompted McDonald's to bring in consultants from PwC to audit its restaurants.
French high court reaffirms workers’ 'right to disconnect'
The Cour de Cassation, France's highest appeals court, has reaffirmed the principle that workers cannot be expected to respond to calls or messages out of hours, in the case of a long-distance truck driver who was sacked by his boss. The driver was sacked for gross misconduct after posting abusive messages on Facebook about his boss, after being sanctioned for not returning phone calls which were made outside of his normal working hours. He took the company to court, and the case eventually came before the Cour de Cassation. The court upheld the driver’s dismissal over the abusive messages, but ruled in his favour when it came to out-of-hours contact. Lawyer Audrey Tomaszewski observed: "With this ruling, the companies concerned will be encouraged to anticipate and organise themselves better."
PayPal accused of racial bias in funding program
Nisha Desai, an Asian American businesswoman, has filed a lawsuit against PayPal, alleging racial bias in its $535m investment program, which she claims unfairly restricts funding to Black and Hispanic applicants. Desai, who leads the New York-based venture capital firm Andav Capital, said: “To PayPal and its executives, Asian Americans might be minorities, but they're the wrong kind of minority.” She accuses the company of violating several civil rights laws and is seeking unspecified damages, as well as a ban on considering race and ethnicity in its investment decisions. PayPal has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
 


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