The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
APAC Edition
29th January 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Samsung workers’ union registered by Tamil Nadu government
The Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU) has been registered by the Tamil Nadu government after a months-long campaign supported by the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU). This comes as a six-week deadline issued by the Madras high court to the government reached its last day. CITU issued a statement saying that it "congratulates the fighting Samsung Workers and the CITU State Committee of Tamil Nadu for this grand victory,” after the employees had submitted an online petition seeking registration last June.
REMUNERATION
China firm under investigation for 'issuing own currency' as salary
A Chinese firm which operates a shopping mall, Motian Vitality City, is being probed after it was revealed that staff were given consumer vouchers instead of money as salary, with other entities owned by parent company Dazhong Zhuoyue Holding Group also found to have done so. One member of staff complained online: “Many colleagues have mortgages and car loans, and young kids and old parents to support. We are helpless with these vouchers." Lawyer Zhao Liangshan of Shaanxi Hengda Law Firm said the company had violated the country's Labour Law, which requires salaries to be paid monthly in the form of cash.
WORKFORCE
Vietnam in tech workforce drive
Authorities in Vietnam have announced that technology firms operating there may be eligible to reimbursement of as much as 50% of the costs incurred for training staff from the country. Leif Schneider, lawyer and country head at law firm Luther’s Vietnam practice, remarked: “Neither Malaysia nor Singapore – two of the most sophisticated economies in the region – have such specific and detailed requirements for human capital development in their incentive schemes."
MANAGEMENT
Fuji Media executives to step down amid scandal probe
Fuji Media's chairman Shuji Kanoh, and the head of its TV unit Koichi Minato are to resign as an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by celebrity TV host Masahiro Nakai continues. This comes after a number of high-profile firms including Toyota suspended advertising with the company in the wake of the revelations.
RISK
Companies step up executive protection after killing of Brian Thompson
The assassination of United Healthcare chief executive Brian Thompson has intensified concerns over executive safety, leading many companies to reassess their security protocols. A new HR Policy Association report, based on responses from 180 CHROs across major public companies, reveals that 73% of firms have specific security measures for executives, with 76% relying on third-party vendors or consultants for implementation. While 37% focus solely on CEO protection, 68% extend measures to all C-suite executives, 51% include board members, and 12% cover other senior leaders. Security decisions are primarily driven by job roles (91%), risk assessments (75%), and specific incidents (66%). Most firms conduct risk assessments on an “as-needed” basis (64%), with others doing so annually (19%), quarterly (4%), or monthly (5%). Ani Huang, senior executive vice president of HR Policy Association, comments that "Even if you’re not extremely in the public eye, you can still be a target." However, challenges persist: Some 70% of CHROs cite evolving threats as a key hurdle, while 30% point to budget constraints and executive resistance as significant barriers to effective security implementation.
ECONOMY
India's retail sector shows 5% sales growth for December
The Indian retail sector saw sales rise 5% in December 2024 compared to the same festive time period last year, according to the Retailers Association of India. South India experienced the highest sales growth at 6%, while West and North India each recorded a 5% increase. The sales growth in East India showed a growth of 4%. In terms of categories quick-service restaurants registered the highest growth of 10%, followed by apparel, food and grocery and sports goods each showing growth of 7%.
CULTURE
China prioritizes physical education in schools
China is enhancing physical education in schools, making it a core part of the curriculum to combat rising childhood obesity. The Ministry of Education emphasized that physical education teachers should receive equal treatment and compensation as their counterparts in core subjects like Chinese and math. "These measures are part of a broader push for a more holistic approach to education," the Ministry stated. The new policies mandate at least two hours of physical activity daily for students and aim to recruit retired athletes and military veterans to address a shortage of around 120,000 physical education teachers. The National Health Commission highlighted that obesity has become a significant public health issue, ranking as the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability in China.
RECRUITMENT
Survey highlights recruitment challenges facing Indian firms
Some 80% of Indian employers are struggling to recruit qualified workers, according to Manpower Group’s Talent Shortage Survey. Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East, noted that sectors such as IT, Energy, and Utilities are under the most pressure amid continued demand for specialised skills in areas like data and IT.
FLEXIBLE WORKING
New Zealand courts 'digital nomads' in tourism drive
New Zealand has announced changes to its visa requirements in a bid to bolster the tourism sector in the country. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford commented: "The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays, which will lead to more money being spent in the country." She went on: "We welcome visitors of all types to New Zealand and in this particular announcement, those who are able to work as digital nomads here on our shores." This comes as the country grapples with wider economic hardship amid interest rate hikes resulting from high inflation, which have led to increased unemployment. 
INTERNATIONAL
DEI at Davos: What CEOs were saying
Diversity, equity and inclusion was a hot topic of discussion among politicians and business leaders at this year’s World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, following President Donald Trump's executive order dismantling the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs. However, most corporate leaders who spoke to CNBC across the first four days of the summit reiterated that while internal policies may be tweaked, their company values will remain the same. Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase chief executive, commented: “We are going to continue to reach out to the Black community and Hispanic community, LGBT community, and the veteran community... Wherever I go — red states, blue states — mayors, governors say they like what we do." Meanwhile, Chuck Robbins, Cisco CEO, commented: "I think what happened is there’s a subset of initiatives under the DEI brand that were particularly disliked. And I think the whole thing got blown up because of that." And Robert Smith, Vista Equity Partners CEO, stated: “I think that diversity is a great thing in business... When we have diverse teams, our teams are more productive. 
European executives call for deregulation
Business leaders in Davos have urged the EU to speed up efforts to reduce regulation and increase competition. Executives said Donald Trump’s vow to roll back corporate regulation in the US increases the need for the EU to explore ways to increase competitiveness. Nicolai Tangen, chief executive of Norges Bank Investment Management, said: “They're rolling back regulations in the US fast, so it makes it more important to do so in Europe," while Merck Group CEO Belen Garijo said: “We need to move fast ... Europe (does not) lack ideas, it's an issue of implementation.”
OTHER
Comedians can bring cheer to the office
The New York Times looks at how improv comedians can make a living through a corporate career. Those comedians who have launched their own company have additional moneymaking potential, alongside a normal career in comedy. In the workplace, improv professionals can hold team-building sessions, while also helping executives to improve skills. Improv professionals can also earn money from large events or speaking engagements. Erin Diehl, founder and chief executive of Improve It in Charleston, South Carolina, came to corporate improv after a successful career in human resources. During her workshops, she uses a hat shaped like a chicken that keeps people’s attention and reminds them that learning comes from taking risks and getting uncomfortable.
 


The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe